Weapons used during business or convenience store robberies from 2022 to 2023

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.24.036399

I note you seek access to the following information:

I am seeking data on the types of weapons used during robberies in convenience stores. I believe there is a strong public interest for this information to be published due to the safety risk posed to both businesses and members of the public.

Please can you supply the following information:

1. The number of businesses who were victims of reported robberies for the periods of 01 January 2022 to 31 December 2022 and 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.
2. The key search terms I am seeking in relation to the type of business are; convenience store, corner shop, grocery store, supermarket, newsagent, symbol group, tobacconist, off licence and independent retailer.
   The key search terms I am seeking in relation to the weapon used are guns, knives, needles, unarmed and blunt weapons (baseball bats, clubs, etc).
3. Could you also provide the name the businesses traded under and their address.
4. Whether the robber was arrested and their conviction/sentence.

Ideally, I would like these figures broken down month-on-month.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full. Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Please find below a spreadsheet in which the requested information has been provided.

The notes page should be read in conjunction with the data to ensure the report is interpreted correctly.