House robberies linked by police

A gang of robbers armed with shotguns and iron bars has targeted householders at three properties in west Norfolk.

Three masked men broke into a house in Pott Row, near King's Lynn, and stole handbags from two women described by police as "elderly", on 14 September.

A man was targeted outside his North Runton home the next day by gunmen who fled when an alarm was activated.

On 16 September four gunmen attacked a home in Upwell and demanded entry before fleeing empty-handed.

The gang is believed to have made its getaway in a maroon-coloured Vauxhall Vectra on each occasion.

Patrols stepped up

Detectives have linked all three incidents and a full investigation is under way. High visibility police patrols have also been stepped up.

The gang may also be linked to a similar offence in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, on Sunday as well as an armed robbery at a home in Stow Bridge, near Downham Market, on 13 September.

Det Ch Insp Neil Firm said: "This series of robberies is extremely unusual by virtue of the premises targeted and the level of firearms used.

"We are liaising closely with colleagues in Cambridgeshire and elsewhere across the region as part of our investigation and have a number of strong lines of inquiry which we are actively pursuing."

He added that they were "particularly keen" for any information relating to the Vauxhall Vectra.