Heybridge Co-op raiders were armed with axe and crowbar - police manhunt underway

THREE men who robbed a Heybridge shop last night were armed with an axe and crowbar, police have confirmed.

Essex News and Investigations exclusively revealed last night how the East of England Co-op in Lawling Avenue was targeted at about 8pm yesterday.

The shop has been robbed a number of times and the company recently stopped using private security patrols with dogs brought an after an earlier attack in the summer.

An Essex Police spokesman said "We were contacted at around 8pm on Wednesday, October 6, following reports of an armed robbery at Co-op in Lawling Avenue, Heybridge. Officers attended, arriving on scene quickly.

"It was reported that three men entered the store and threatened staff. A quantity of cash and cigarettes were taken. One man was armed with a crowbar and another, an axe. No one was injured.

We are appealing to anyone in the area at the time who may have seen the incident, or who may have captured anything suspicious on dash cam footage, to contact us on 101 quoting crime reference 42/220670/21."

A spokesperson for the East of England Co-op, said: “I can confirm that an armed robbery took place at our store on Lawling Avenue, Maldon yesterday evening. “We take protecting our local businesses, communities, colleagues and customers very seriously, and incidents like these are never acceptable. “We’ve invested heavily in our security services and work closely with Police forces, the local authorities and other agencies to share intelligence and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice. “We are supporting our colleagues involved in this distressing incident and would urge anyone with any information to contact Essex police or call Crimestoppers anonymously.” You can also submit a report online at https://www.essex.police.uk or use the 'Live Chat' button to speak to an online operator between 7am-11pm.

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.