Police are linking two armed robberies that took place at stores in Ipswich within hours of each other.

Police are linking two armed robberies that took place at stores in Ipswich within hours of each other.

The first raid took place just after 4pm yesterday in Freehold Road.

Police received a report that a man had entered the Premier store moments earlier armed with a knife.

Staff handed over a quantity of cash to the man, who fled the scene. No members of staff were hurt.

Police then received a report of another robbery at the Premier store in Foxhall Road at 5.50pm.

A man entered the shop and went up to an employee and demanded money, indicating that he had a knife with him. A quantity of cash was taken, but no one was hurt.

The man left in the direction of Heath Road.

Police have said they do not believe the robberies were carried out by the same person. The man they are looking for from the first robbery is described as white, in his late teens to early 20s, of skinny build and with a thin, dark moustache.

He was wearing a black hooded top, possibly a zipped jacket, black bottoms and white trainers.

He was also carrying a black draw string bag with the wording ‘BANK’ in white writing on both sides.

Police are describing the male from the second incident as white, about 6ft tall and of slim build with dark hair. He was wearing dark tracksuit style bottoms and a white T-shirt.

Anyone in the area at the time or with information in relation to either incident is asked to call Ipswich CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.