AN AXE-WIELDING man has robbed a fast food restaurant in Cirencester, with the attack linked by police to two more similar incidents.

The raid happened shortly before 8.30pm on January 20 when a man robbed Subway in Brewery Court.

A man armed with what is believed to be an axe, entered the fast food restaurant, threatened staff and demanded that cash be handed to him.

He was able to make off with the cash in a blue bag and left in the direction of the brewery car park.

No one was injured in the attack.

The incident is the third Subway locally to be attacked in just two weeks with the police looking into the possibility that the attacks are linked.

A subway in Devizes was robbed on January 7 at 9.55pm where the suspect made off with a large amount of cash.

And then just two days after the attack in Cirencester, a subway in Chippenham was robbed on January 22 at 8.30pm where again, the suspect made off with a large amount of cash.

Detective Inspector Nick Mawson, from Wiltshire Police CID, said of the Chippenham attack: “We are looking into the possibility that this robbery is linked to the recent one at Subway in Devizes, and another similar incident at a Subway store in Cirencester over the weekend.

“Because of this we are liaising with other Subway branches in the county to offer crime prevention and safety advice, in the hope that we can prevent further incidents.”

“We are now carrying out a thorough investigation and are following up a number of leads including CCTV, forensics and door-to-door inquiries in the surrounding area.

“I would like to reassure the public that we are taking these robberies incredibly seriously and would urge anyone with information to get in touch.”

The offender is described as a middle-aged man who was wearing dark clothing and a face covering.

Anyone with information about the incidents are asked to call 101 or email 101@gloucestershire.police.uk