Robbers may have struck before

TWO hammer-wielding robbers who raided a Great Yarmouth jewellers could be the same gang responsible for two similar attacks in Essex and Hertfordshire, it was revealed last night.

TWO hammer-wielding robbers who raided a Great Yarmouth jewellers could be the same gang responsible for two similar attacks in Essex and Hertfordshire, it was revealed last night.

Police confirmed they are investigating possible links with attempted raids on Zelley jewellers in Market Square, Bishops Stortford, on Thursday and a jewellers in High Street, Southend, on Friday.

In both cases, the robbers were armed with a sledgehammer but left empty-handed.

Staff at Cox and Son jewellers in Northgate Street, Yarmouth, chased off the robbers at about 3.20pm on Saturday as shoppers watched. The raiders, who had snatched a selection of watches, got into a red and grey Rover 214 where a third male was waiting as the driver. Before they could drive off, the staff smashed the passenger window with a chair.

The car was found abandoned a short time later at the back of East Road, close to the cemetery grounds of St Nicholas Church.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who saw the vehicle in the Yarmouth area during that afternoon or saw the raiders after the vehicle was abandoned.

Contact Det Sgt Graeme Talbot or Det Con Craig Lovatt at Yarmouth CID on 0845 456 4567, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.