A Co-op store in Earls Colne near Colchester was robbed by a man armed with a hammer, according to Essex Police.

Officers were called to the Co-op food store in High Street, Earls Colne, at around 7.30pm on Saturday, November 25, to reports that a man wearing a balaclava had jumped onto the shop counter armed with a hammer.

He threatened the shop’s staff and took cash from the till before leaving in a car.

The incident comes just weeks after the same store was struck in a ram raid in September, where a forklift truck is reported to have smashed into the shop and an ATM cash machine stolen.

An Essex Police spokeswoman said the two incidents are not believed to be linked.

Officers are urging anyone who witnessed the robbery or has information which can help police to contact them on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.