Six armed robberies 'linked'

Police recovered this gun dropped by the raiders

Detectives from two forces are hunting a violent gang which they believe is responsible for six armed robberies in three weeks.

Officers from Gwent and South Wales Police revealed on Friday they believe the crimes are linked, and they have launched a joint hunt for what they describe as a dangerous group of criminals.

The robberies stretch over a wide area - from Usk in the Gwent Police area to Creigiau, Gower, and Bryncoch, on the South Wales officers' patch.

All the attacks have taken place in pubs, shops and post offices, and at least two victims have needed hospital treatment.

Last week police announced they were linking three armed robberies - two in the Monmouthshire village of Usk and one in Creigiau in Cardiff.

Now three more have been added to the list - two on Swansea's Gower peninsular and another at a pub in Bryncoch, near Neath.

Police have appealed for help in catching the criminals, but they have issued a warning that the men who committed the crimes are dangerous.

In each case, they have been armed with guns, baseball bats, and knives - and they have not been afraid to use them to get money.

The first robbery took place at Creigiau in Cardiff

They are advising shopkeepers and publicans to be vigilant, and not to approach them.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact them on 01495 232260.

Last week a part-time fireman told how he confronted an armed gang as they carried out a raid in a shop in Usk.

The incident took place just 90 minutes after an earlier raid in Creigiau.

Appealing for witnesses to the two robberies, Anthony Baker, a 32-year-old butcher, described how he got caught up in the robbery at the Spar while out walking his spaniel with his wife.

Police said at the time that they believed the same gang had held up the post office at Creigiau just an hour and a half before.

Despite being attacked by the three men - one armed with an airgun and another with a baseball bat - Mr Baker managed to hit back and gave chase.