FIVE armed robberies that took place in Kidderminster have been linked by police.

New CCTV footage from the robberies was shown on BBC's Crimewatch Roadshow yesterday (3) as police formally confirmed that the armed robberies in the town are being linked.

Kidderminster residents have been urged to study the images released on the BBC Crimewatch and West Mercia Police websites in a bid to identify the robbers.

Weapons including a machete, meat cleaver, knives and sticks have been used in the raids in the Comberton Hill area of the town over the past few months.

The offences took place at the B K Minimarket in Hoo Road on April 5, Offmore Stores in Albert Road on May 1, Tasty Land on Comberton Hill on May 12, Milan Pizza, also on Comberton Hill, on June 2, and the Golden Lion pub in George Street on June 4.

Some of the raids were carried out by two young men, others by three, with their faces covered by scarves or balaclavas.

In all cases staff were threatened with weapons.

Staff at the Milan Pizza fought back by hurling food and trays at the robbers who left empty-handed on that occasion but cash, cigarettes and spirits were taken in the other raids.

Detective Inspector Dean Jones of Kidderminster CID told the Crimewatch Roadshow that the offences were being linked due to their proximity, the type of premises targeted, similarities in the way the offences had been carried out, the type of weapons used and descriptions of the robbers.

He said: "We have confirmed that we are investigating this series of robberies as potentially linked and we are asking people who live in the area to view footage which will be on the BBC Crimewatch website at bbc.co.uk/crimewatchroadshow for the next seven days.

“Images are also being posted on our force website at westmercia.police.uk/.

"All these offences have happened in the general area of Comberton Hill and I would urge everyone to study these images either on websites or in local papers and help identify those responsible.

"The facial features, general mannerisms, clothing they have worn or the type of weapons they have used could all provide clues as to their identities.

" We need people to give us names and we are certain someone has an idea who is involved.

"We are also trying to trace a white male believed to be aged between 12 and 14 who we believe spoke to the two offenders outside Kidderminster Harriers Football Club prior to them robbing the B K Minimarket in Hoo Road on 5 April. That happened at about 8.45pm.

"We are very keen to speak to him and also to a couple who walked past the offenders just before they went into the store that evening."

Det Insp Jones said the robbers had shown no consideration for their victims and yet had gained relatively little from their crimes.

Witnesses or anyone with information to help the investigation should contact officers at Kidderminster CID on 0300 333 3000, quoting the reference 623-S-050412, or details can be passed on anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.