DETECTIVES investigating a botched armed raid in Essex have renewed their appeal for witnesses.

James Hore

DETECTIVES investigating a botched armed raid in Essex have renewed their appeal for witnesses.

The attempted raid happened on Mersea Island when a staff member entered Barclays on Yorick Road shortly after 8am on May 27 and was confronted by two thieves.

The 53-year-old woman was threatened at gunpoint but managed to escape and police were contacted soon afterwards.

A police checkpoint was set up on The Strood, with armed officers carrying out area searches for the two men who remain at large.

A silver Ford Fiesta which had been reported stolen on the day and thought to have possibly been used by the attackers was recovered in the afternoon just a few streets away.

Det. Sgt. Mark Merry, said: “We're keen to speak with anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity outside the bank in the days leading up to Wednesday's robbery.

“We will be speaking to Barclays about security measures and determining how these men managed to enter the building before opening time.”

CCTV is being checked to see if the two men, both white and wearing boiler suits, were captured on camera.

A 46-year-old man from the Colchester area arrested in connection with the robbery was later released without charge.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact detectives at Colchester police station on 0300 333 4444.