A MAN is in hospital after suffering a knife wounds inside an off-licence that he was trying to rob.

Police officers and detectives scrambled to Park Off Licence Convenience Store in Faringdon Road at 7pm on Monday after a man went into the store brandishing a knife.

He threatened staff and demanded they hand over cash from the till, but the employees refused and managed to escape the store unharmed.

But while the man was in the shop alone he sustained knife injuries to his chest.

A 31-year-old man was taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol for treatment, where he remains in a stable condition.

Detectives and officers from the crime scene investigation department taped off the store while investigations were carried out and it remained closed this morning.

A police spokesman said: “Wiltshire Police were called to a shop in Faringdon Road, Swindon, at 7pm on Monday night to reports of a robbery in progress.

“A man entered the store and threatened staff with a knife, demanding they hand over money.

“Staff members managed to leave the store safely and whilst the suspect was in the shop alone he sustained knife injuries to his chest.”

A South Western Ambulance spokesman added: "We got the call at 7.06pm last night to reports that a male casualty had sustained a knife wound and was bleeding heavily as a result. We sent a crew, officer and rapid response vehicle. The man was taken to Great Western Hospital by land ambulance."

Yesterday, police said they did not want the incident to cause panic or alarm in the community.

Detective Sergeant Scott Anger said: “I would like to reassure the community that this appears to be an isolated incident and that luckily nobody else was injured.

“A CID investigation is now ongoing and we would urge anyone who has any information to contact us."

Anyone with information is asked to contact DS Scott Anger on 101. Alternatively they can phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously.