POLICE are not linking two raids on Co-op stores eight miles apart which happened within four hours.

Two men went into the shop in Regent Street, Rowhedge, just after 8pm on Monday night and demanded staff hand over cigarettes and money.

They made off with a three-figure sum of cash on foot towards the High Street and are believed to have got into a dark grey car which travelled towards Heath Road.

Both men are described as white.

The first was between 5ft 6ins and 5ft 8ins tall and was wearing a black Adidas hooded top, scruffy trainers, grey gloves and a blue ski mask.

The other man was wearing a Spiderman mask.

Four hours later three men then forced their way into the Co-op in Barfield Road, West Mersea, after the store had closed.

The trio, who were dressed in dark clothing, used a crowbar to get into the shop just after 12.15am.

They got away with cigarettes and alcohol.

A spokesman for Essex Police confirmed they were not linking the two incidents and were running separate investigations.

An East of England Co-op spokesman said they were supporting staff affected by the robbery in Rowhedge and urged anyone with information about the incidents to contact the police as soon as possible.

He said:“Scenes of crime officers carried out investigations and the store opened at 7am as usual yesterday.

“Our state-of-the-art alarm receiving centre enables us to monitor each of our stores 24 hours a day.

“We have our own security team who were able to respond swiftly, along with the police.

“Colleagues have and will continue to be offered support.”

Anyone with information about either incident is asked to contact officers at Colchester police station on 101.

Details can also be handed to charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.