A father has told today how his teenage daughter has been left traumatised after she was the victim of an armed robbery.

The 17-year-old was working at Premier Estate Stores in Bramford Road, Ipswich, on Sunday when two masked men burst in. One of the robbers had a knife and threatened the female workers, before fleeing empty handed.

The father of one of the girls, who didn’t want to give his name, said: “She is terrified of going anywhere alone now, and has given up her job at the shop because of all of this.

“It could have been a completely different story, those men had a knife, and I’m thankful that she is safe.”

The Bramford Road robbery is one of four armed robberies in less than two weeks in Suffolk. Police say they are not linking the other robberies in Felixstowe, Trimley St Mary and Stowmarket.

Officers investigating the robberies said they believe the timing of raids is coincidental and they are not linked.

Detective Inspector Steve Clabburn, of Ipswich police who is overseeing three of the inquiries, said: “Without exception the members of staff involved are very shocked by what has happened.

“When there has been four robberies in a relatively short space of time it does focus attention on them.

“There is nothing to say there is any link between the incidents at this stage.

“These type of crimes are relatively unusual and I would reassure people that Suffolk is still a safe place to live. “

Two days ago the Co-op Solar store in Combs Lanes, Stowmarket, was targeted by a robber who escaped with a haul of cash and cigarettes just before 7.45pm. Two 21-year-old men have been arrested in connection with this incident.

Last Thursday two armed robbers threatened to shoot workers at Greening’s newsagents in Faulkeners Way, Trimley St Mary.

On Tuesday, November 9, two men threatened staff with a shotgun at Ladbroke’s in Undercliff Road, Felixstowe and made off with the takings, heading towards Lidl in Langer Road.

If you have any information call police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.