Police link more house robberies

No one has been injured in the armed robberies

Police investigating a series of armed raids at homes in Norfolk said they believe three more robberies have been committed by the same group.

Six homes across West Norfolk are now thought to have been targeted by the group of five men in the last week.

The gang, armed with guns, demanded cash from householders in Upwell, Nordelph, Stow Bridge, North Runton, Elm and Wereham, near Downham Market.

Norfolk Constabulary said patrols in the area have been stepped up.

The force's Major Investigations Team, working with neighbouring forces, now believes all six incidents are connected.

Shots fired

On each occasion the gang fled in a maroon-coloured Vauxhall Vectra - they gained modest sums of cash from some of the robberies, but left empty-handed on the last three occasions.

No one has been injured in any of the robberies.

Ch Supt Tony Cherington, of Norfolk Constabulary, said: "On the last two occasions, in Upwell and Wereham, a gang we believe is responsible for a number of armed robberies in the area have fired shots.

"Fortunately in neither case was anyone injured, but this clearly reflects the potential risk posed by this group, who we consider to be extremely dangerous.

"There are additional police patrols in the area and the investigation team is actively pursuing a number of strong lines of inquiry.

"In the mean time, we are asking people not to approach or confront anyone fitting the description of this gang but to report any suspicious activity or vehicles seen in their neighbourhood immediately to the police."

The gang may also be linked to a similar offence in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, on Sunday as well as an armed robbery at the Comfort Inn, Northwold, on 28 August and an aggravated burglary at a home in Vong Lane, Pott Row, on Friday.