SHOPKEEPERS are being urged to tighten up on security following a series of till snatches and hold-ups in Felixstowe.Business owners are being asked to keep a look-out for a particular suspect – and to ring 999 if they see someone answering the description.

SHOPKEEPERS are being urged to tighten up on security following a series of till snatches and hold-ups in Felixstowe.

Business owners are being asked to keep a look-out for a particular suspect – and to ring 999 if they see someone answering the description.

In the past two weeks there have been four incidents at shops and takeaways, but all premises are being urged to be on their guard.

Last week a man grabbed cash from the till at Bugattis chip shop in Walton High Street, and the previous week Safeway in Grange Farm Avenue lost a sum of cash from one its check-outs after a similar raid.

Another incident saw shopkeeper Michael Isaacs use a table to fend off a balaclava-clad knife-wielding robber at his Margaret Street shop.

Three weeks ago, a Bonny and Clyde duo tried to hold-up McDonalds fast-food restaurant in Walton Avenue with a handgun.

The man and woman threatened a 20-year-old worker behind the counter and demanded he hand over cash from the till, but they fled the scene empty-handed after something appeared to fall from the end of the gun.

Detectives have sent a letter to retailers asking them to keep on high alert and asking them to consider security and staff safety.

"It is important to be aware that no-one has been hurt in any of the offences committed so far, but if threatened, it is strongly advised that no resistance is offered," said the letter.

"Please make sure that your CCTV systems are working correctly and that your tapes are of a good quality in order that any reproduction required are able to show clear images of events and faces.

"This is a major source of evidence – and yet can also be a major disappointment if systems are not maintained and are not recording or reproducing good quality images."

The thief who stole from Bugattis is described as white, about 6ft 2in tall, of broad but not muscular build, with short light brown hair in a skinhead-type cut.

He had protruding lips with noticeable gaps between his teeth, and had a tattoo on his inner forearm.

At the time he was wearing a black baseball cap, a plain black pullover-type fleece and dark jeans.

Shopkeepers who see anyone acting suspiciously in their premises are asked to call 999.

Police also want to hear from anyone who has information about the till snatches or hold-ups and people should call Felixstowe police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers 0800 555111.