A village store has been targeted by armed raiders for the second time in five days.

Terrified staff were threatened by robbers brandishing a shotgun and hammer in the second armed raid at the Co-op Food Store, in Church Street, Bocking.

The robbers ordered the staff and five customers to lie on the floor before demanding the safe and tills should be opened.

They stole two cash boxes before running away in the direction of Braintree town centre. The raid took place at around 8.20pm on Friday.

It came just days after the store was targeted by a lone armed raider who held a terrified shop assistant and customer at knifepoint. Police have not ruled out a link between the two robberies.

Different members of staff were working at the time of the two raids. All will receive counselling.

Chelmsford Star Co-Operative Society, which owns the store, said security measures had been stepped up since the first attack.

Marketing manager Vanessa Howard said: "We have been working with police and have increased the security measures but when faced with someone with a shotgun there is very little that can be done. "

One plan is to control all of the rural branch's CCTV cameras from the Co-op's main office, so robbers will be caught on a central camera.

Essex Police helicopter and dog units were used after the latest attack but both robbers escaped.

Both robbers are described as being in their 20s with northern accents.

The man wielding the shotgun was about 6ft, of slim to medium build. He was wearing a dark jacket, dark blue jeans, a blue half faced dark mask baseball cap and dark woolly gloves and white trainers.

The other man, armed with a hammer, was shorter and was wearing a mask. He was wearing a black puffed-style jacket.

Police are also hoping a man seen carrying a dark holdall and walking with a limp along Clavering Road, Braintree, at about 9.20pm on Friday, will come forward to be eliminated from their investigation.

Detectives are appealing for anyone with any information about either of the robberies to call Braintree CID on 01376 551312 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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