Police Investigate Two Armed Robberies

15 July 2011, 10:59 | Updated: 15 July 2011, 11:02

Police are invetsigating two armed robberies - one which happened last night and one this morning.

The first happened at about 6.15am at the B & P Newsagents on Stone Road in Dereham in Norfolk when two men entered the premises armed with what is described as a spanner and a handgun.

The pair fled the scene, where they were challenged by a member of public and subsequently dropped the cash and what is described as part of a BB Gun. The offenders then left in what is described as a white estate car.

No shots were fired in the incident and no-one was injured.

The offenders are described as white, wearing hooded tops, in their 20s. One had short mousey hair and was wearing blue jeans with a black hooded top. The other suspect wore black jogging bottoms and a dark coloured coat with a hood.

Officers are also exploring the possibility that this incident was linked to an earlier one in which a man entered the BP petrol station on Norwich Road in Swaffham in Norfolk at about 8.35pm last night (Thursday 14 July) and demanded money.

In that incident he threatened staff with what is described as a hand gun and fled with a quantity of cash and cigarettes. Again, a short while later some money was recovered along with a magazine from a BB gun.  No shots were fired in this incident and no-one was injured.

The suspect described in this incident had a tattoo on his right wrist and as about five foot eight inches tall and with a goatee beard.

Forensic investigations are continuing and officers are also exploring CCTV footage.

Officers would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the roberries or noticed people acting suspiciously in the area around the time of the incidents.

Members of the public should contact King’s Lynn CID on 0845 456 4567 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.