Two armed robberies took place within five minutes of each other in Stratton. 

Grange Drive Convenience Store and Ermin Food and Wine were both targeted by a male threatening the shop workers with a knife. 

The store worker at Grange Drive Convenience Store managed to drive the suspect out of the shop after threatening to throw a footstool at him.

A few minutes later, a man entered Ermin Food and Wine and demanded money from the till. He got away with cash and two bottles of alcohol. 

The suspect is described as white, approximately aged between 25 and 30, 6ft tall and with stubble. He was also said to be wearing a dark long sleeved top. 

Descriptions were given to officers at the scene who searched the area with the assistance of a police helicopter. 

Det Insp Paul Hacker said: "These incidents were extremely frightening for the shop workers but fortunately nobody was injured.

"We believe the incidents are linked and we immediately conducted area searches assisted by the dog unit and police helicopter. 

"Our enquiries remain ongoing at this time.

"We understand the high number of police officers in the area, at what was a busy time of day, would have no doubt caused concern to members of the puiblic and I'd like to reassure residents that we are conducting a robust investigation to identify the person responsible."

Anyone with information should call 101 and quote crime reference number 54190092360.