DETECTIVES hunting two balaclava-clad armed robbers who raided a Felixstowe town centre store are today searching for a white estate car seen near the premises.

By Richard Cornwell

DETECTIVES hunting two balaclava-clad armed robbers who raided a Felixstowe town centre store are today searching for a white estate car seen near the premises.

The car was seen in the Hamilton Road and Highfield Road area of the town about the time of the robbery - but officers also want to know if people saw it in the area in days leading up to the attack.

Two men, one armed with a knife, the other with a bat or piece of wood, entered the Woolworths store via the rear of the premises - the lift in the loading bay - about 6am on Monday.

They threatened two members of staff - a man in his 20s and a woman in her 50s - and after forcing the man to open the safe they escaped with the weekend's takings, understood to be about £26,000, and left the two shopworkers tied up face-down, hands behind their backs, in a back room.

Both robbers wore balaclavas and dark clothing, and are described as white, in their 30s and of medium build.

Police said they have received several calls from members of the public and are currently conducting a number of inquiries to try to trace the raiders.

A spokeswoman said detectives were particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen a white estate car in the area around 6am that morning, or who may have seen a similar vehicle in the area in the days prior to the raid.

Officers would also like to speak to anyone who was in Felixstowe around 6am that morning who may have seen a similar vehicle travelling in the area at speed.

Anyone able to help should call Felixstowe CID on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers, anonymously if required, on 0800 555 111.