POLICE have stressed that there is no link between the two shocking knife attacks that took place in Swindon at the weekend.

On Friday night, a masked robber burst into the Tesco Express in the Abbey Meads Village Centre and held a knife to the throat of a terrified shop assistant while, just an hour later, two men pinned a 52-year-old mother to her sofa and stabbed her twice before ransacking her home in Rodbourne.

Police have issued a plea for help in solving the crimes and have sought to reassure the public that they are doing all they can to catch the offenders.

Wiltshire Police’s Detective Inspector Paul Hacker said: “While we appreciate that these incidents happened within a close time frame, it is important to point out that we do not believe they are linked.

“Our enquiries into both incidents are ongoing and we are following all appropriate lines of enquiry.

“In relation to the incident at Tesco Express in the Abbey Meads village centre, we have released CCTV images as soon as possible in a bid to try and catch the person responsible. I would continue to ask members of the public to look at this image, and share with friends and family in the hope that someone may recognise the person pictured.

“Any information you have, no matter how small, could be significant to our enquiries. If you have information and have not already spoken to police, please call us on 101.

“We understand the impact both incidents will have had on the victims and appreciate that the local communities will be concerned.

“I would like to reassure the public that we are carrying out thorough investigations into both incidents and will leave no stone unturned in catching the offenders.”

The shocking incidents sparked terror among residents who have been left in fear for their safety.

Mother-of-one Chrissy Veal, 36, who lives in Rodbourne Road, said: “It’s really worrying. It’s not the sort of thing you expect to hear – I imagine some people would be scared to leave their homes. I am worried for my child’s safety as there seems to be a lot of this at the moment.”

“I don’t think it’s safe round here,” echoed one man, 58.

Police have asked people who may have any information about either incident to call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or visit the Crimestoppers website.