Police linking two jewellery shop armed robberies

“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.”