A MAN has been charged in connection with a robbery at a sandwich shop in Weymouth.

Police officers were called to the Subway store in Westham Road in Weymouth on Wednesday following reports of a robbery.

It was reported that a man had entered the store and made threats to a member of staff before making off with cash from the till.

A police manhunt was launched with the helicopter seen hovering above Weymouth into the night.

Following searches of the area, supported by the NPAS helicopter, a suspect was located in the Lodmoor area.

A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbery.

Police said today a man has now been charged with robbery and possession of a class A drug, namely heroin, and is due to appear at Poole Magistrates Court today.

Cllr Mike Byatt, spokesman for community safety at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, called the incident ‘deeply concerning.’

He explained: “I am deeply concerned when a robbery of this nature takes place, where the public or in this case members of staff are threatened.

"I am pleased to see that a quick response was made by police to search for a suspect.

"This should send a clear message that the police will take action and that we don’t want to see things like this happening in our community.”

Mayor of Weymouth and Portland, Cllr Gill Taylor, said she was thinking of the members of staff affected by the incident.

She added: “I think it’s absolutely awful. I hope all the staff and those involved in this incident are ok.

“It’s an unusual incident to have happened in Weymouth, which is usually such a safe town.”

Traders of Westham Road have reacted to the incident.

Denise Cameron of Quayside Leather in Weymouth called the incident ‘frightening.’ She said: “It’s become a lot more anti-social here, which is a shame because we love it. The occurrence of things like this happening has grown.

“When we cash up, we bring everything inside and lock up because you don’t know who is around.”

Chris Simmons of Nostalgia Unlimited said: “We heard the helicopter. It was flying around for a while. It’s usually only around if someone is lost at sea or someone is on the run.”

He added that he saw a couple of police cars parked on the road near the Subway store, and said: “There’s always dodgy characters walking through the middle of town and it’s a busy street, but we’re not especially worried.”