A convenience store owner from Huddersfield has died following a robbery by a gang of teenagers in his store.

Gurmail Singh, who owned Cowcliffe Convenience Store in Huddersfield, died of a head injury in the early hours of Sunday morning after the gang escaped with a small amount of cash, cigarettes and confectionery, according to police.

His death comes just days after the Association of Convenience Stores revealed there had been a 30% increase in the number of robberies in the past year, with the cost of each robbery rising 11%.

“These figures show a worrying increase in robberies and a shocking increase in the cost of burglaries over the past year, illustrating the need for more effective crime prevention measures in local shops,” ACS chief executive James Lowman (pictured) commented.

“Too often, community shops are left exposed to the threat of violent and acquisitive crime without the support they deserve from local police and agencies,” he added.

Read more news for independents and c-store owners from The Grocer's sister title, Convenience Store.