POLICE are re-appealing for help following a string of robberies at shops and bookmakers across Gloucestershire.

In October 2014 there were six linked robberies at shops and bookmakers across Gloucestershire, in each case staff and customers were threatened with a hammer.  

Suspects were arrested and bailed at the time but their bail has now been cancelled and no further action will be taken against them.

In one of the incidents, which  occurred on Monday, October 20 2014, just before 5.20pm at a convenience store on the High Street in Bourton-on-the-Water, a shop worker sprayed the thieves with a cleaning product and they made off empty handed

In another, which took place at Corals the bookmakers on Bath Road in Cheltenham at 6.15pm on Wednesday 22nd October 2014,  a man entered the store, went behind the staff counter and took several hundred pounds after threatening a member of staff with a claw hammer.

Police are hunting two men in connection with the incident.

The two men are described as between 5’ 6” and 6’ in height and  the taller of the men is of slighter build wearing a light grey tracksuit top with a hood over his head and grey or darker coloured ‘jogging’ trousers or similar. 

While, the shorter man had a larger/stockier build wearing light grey coloured hooded top again over his head and jogging style bottoms.   

There was believed to be a large motif or writing on the front of one of the hooded tops and both men were wearing face masks, one of which was light grey in colour and one which was darker in colour. 

Andy Houghton, the officer in charge of the investigation, said: “these incidents occurred between October 17 and 24 throughout Gloucestershire, subjecting innocent members of public to a traumatic experience each time. The offenders used a claw hammer which was described by witnesses as shiny and possibly new."

"The clothing worn by some of these individuals is distinctive and we ask that if you recognise any item of clothing or have any information to help identify the persons involved please contact Gloucestershire Police on 101 quoting incident 396  of  October 20, 2014. This has been an intensive investigation and we are determined to catch these offenders and bring them to justice."