Masked men pour petrol on floor of Big Ben’s fish and chip shop in Burnham and threaten to set it alight

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following an incident at Big Ben’s fish and chip shop on the corner of Lent Rise Road and Eastfield Road in Burnham during the evening of Monday 8th September 2014.

Around 6.40pm three men, with their faces covered, entered Big Ben’s fish and chip shop on the corner of Lent Rise Road and Eastfield Road and ordered all the customers to get out.

They then proceeded to threaten staff and poured accelerant, believed to be petrol, on the floor and on the shop counter saying that they would set it alight. They then left the premises without carrying out their threat walking in the direction of Lent Rise Road.

Thames Valley Police officers are very keen to trace the customers in the shop at the time of the incident and also any witnesses who may have seen these men acting suspiciously before or after the incident.

The offenders are described as three black or Asian men, all with their faces covered, one man was significantly taller than the other two. While two wore dark clothing, the other wore a lighter coloured jacket with the hood up.

Det Con Gareth Nicholson, investigating, said: ‘We do not believe this was a random attack, but it has obviously left the staff very shocked and upset. It was also probably scary for the customers who were in the shop when these men came in. We would urge anyone who was in the shop at the time or who was near the shop and saw anyone acting suspiciously to please get in touch with us as a matter of urgency.‘

If you have any information please contact Det Sgt Tracey Benham via the Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 101.

If you don’t want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.