Detectives are hunting two men and a woman who "terrified" customers and staff as they robbed thousands of pounds from a building society.

The gang leapt over the counter of the Bristol and West Building Society in Rayleigh High Street, and forced the female members of staff to hand over bundles of cash.

The robbers struck at just after 3.30pm on Friday and fled with but said it was "thousands of pounds".

An Essex Police spokesman said: "Detectives will be liaising with their counterparts in Epping after a branch of the same building society was involved in similar incident on Tuesday afternoon."

The first man was around 5ft 11ins tall, in his early to mid 20s and skinny. He was wearing a navy blue Nike sweatshirt, beige sports trousers and white trainers.

The second man was lighter in colour, around 16-years-old, approximately 5ft 5ins tall and of medium build. He was wearing a navy blue hooded sweatshirt sporting the letters NY.

The female has only been described as "very young" by witnesses but has dark brown hair in a bob style and was also skinny. She was wearing dark grey cropped trousers.

Anyone who witnessed the incident should call police on 01268 775533 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111

Crime scene - an officer examines the front door of the building for clues

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

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