E-fit of 'double' gems robber

Police say the e-fit is a good likeness of the robber

Police have released an e-fit of one of the robbers involved in simultaneous raids on two jewellers' shops in Manchester city centre.

Two gangs of three masked men - armed with a sledgehammer, gun, a knife and a machete - targeted David M Robinson on St Ann's Square and Mappin and Webb on nearby St Ann's Street, on Monday morning.

The robbers drove through the city centre before the raids, and police believe they may not have covered their faces until just before the robberies.

They are urging anyone who may have seen the six men in the moments before they attacked the shops, to get in touch.

The gangs pulled up in two cars near to the jewellers', soon after they opened for business. The getaway cars were later found burnt out.

Police say the stolen jewellery and watches - which have a combined value of around £400,000 - were possibly stolen to order.

These groups of men committed two very violent robberies, showing no concern for their actions Detective Constable Graham Jones

Three men in a stolen blue Rover MG ZT4 parked outside St Ann's Church, before smashing through the door of David M Robinson with a sledgehammer.

The other gang - in a green Ford Cougar - went into Mappin and Webb armed with a sledgehammer, gun, knife and machete.

Two of the men were wearing white paper suits and the third was wearing a black paper suit.

CCTV footage showed the robbers drove along Bridge Street, King Street West, Back South Parade, St Mary's Street, Deansgate and St Ann's Street.

Detective Constable Graham Jones, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "Monday was a very hot day so there's a strong possibility that the offenders may have left their balaclavas off until just before they entered the shops.

Rewards offered

"If this is the case then people are likely to have seen them around the city and they may have got a good look at their faces.

"Even if people saw the men with balaclavas on they may still have noticed other things that could help us identify them so I would ask them to contact us.

"The e-fit is believed to be a good likeness of one of the men involved in the robbery at Mappin and Webb so if anyone recognises the man shown in it we would like to speak to them.

"These groups of men committed two very violent robberies, showing no concern for their actions and we need to catch them as soon as possible."

The two businesses are offering rewards for any information which leads to the arrest and conviction of those involved.