It is believed he was using the gardening tool in an attempt to rob the Aldi shop in Hall Road.

Witnesses reported he tried to open the tills using the shears, before fleeing towards an Asda across the car park.

Police were called to the Hall Road Retail Park following the incident on Tuesday evening and arrested a suspect at the site on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and theft from a shop.

Police have revealed Christopher Bird, 39 from Colchester, has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, possession of a bladed article in a public place, theft from shop and attempted theft from shop.

He was remanded into custody and is due to appear at Norwich Magistrates Court today (12 March 2026).

One person, believed to have seen the incident, posted on social media: "There is a man in Aldi on Hall Road with hedge cutters being threatening and tried to open the tills with the hedge cutters.

"Police have been called but he left not long after and went towards Asda way, be careful and mindful of this man."

The retail park, home to shops including Aldi, Idea, Hughes and Pets at Home is one of the most popular in Norwich and attracts thousands of visitors weekly. 

People living near the retail park described their shock at the incident.

Hall Road Asda (Image: Newsquest)

Rachel Robertson, 33, lives in Hall Road said: "It’s a new one - garden shears. It’s mind-blowing.

"He could have walked past and trimmed my hedges on the way."

A woman who lives in Hall Road who wished to remain anonymous said: "It’s not the sort of thing you expect.

"I don't know how he was going to get into a till with a hedge cutter.

Aldi store in Hall Road (Image: Google)

A police spokeswoman said: "Police were called to a business premises in Hall Road, Norwich at 8.07pm on March 10 following reports that a man was waving a pair of gardening shears around.

"Officers attended the scene and a man aged in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and theft from a shop.

"He was taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre for questioning."

© Eastern Daily Press