DETECTIVES are linking an armed raid by axe-wielding robbers at a Middlesbrough jewellers with an earlier robbery at Yarm.

The latest raid took place at 4.25pm on Tuesday JAN13 and robbers burst into Market Cross Jewellers on Linthorpe Road with what are believed to be hand axes. No-one was hurt.

Police have confirmed they are linking the raid with another robbery at another branch of Market Cross Jewellers on Yarm High Street on Monday, November 10.

In the Yarm raid the robbers, who were wearing balaclavas, escaped with jewellery worth thousands of pounds.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman explained that she was unable to give more details about the number of people involved in the Middlesbrough robbery or what was taken at at this stage.

Temporary Detective Chief Inspector John Ward said: “At 4.26pm yesterday a robbery took place at Market Cross Jewellers in Middlesbrough. There was an immediate police response with officers being despatched to the scene and a team of detectives are investigating the incident.

“There are clearly similarities between this robbery and the one that took place in Yarm in November and numerous lines of enquiry are being pursued in both cases.

“Officers would like to speak to anyone who may have seen, or have knowledge of, a silver Citroen C Crosser motorvehicle bearing the registration plates MK60 XCD. We believe this vehicle was involved in the robbery and it was later discovered abandoned in the car park next to Leader timber merchants on Newport Road, Middlesbrough.

“We would also appeal to local hoteliers and to those who run local Bed & Breakfast venues to alert us should they have had any guests who may have raised their suspicions over recent days and who may have spoken with a North-West accent.”

A 24-year-old man from the Blakely area of Manchester was arrested on Thursday, January 8 on suspicion of the robbery, in connection with the Yarm incident. He has now been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Anyone who may have witnessed the robbery or anyone who may have information regarding it is asked to contact Cleveland Police on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.