A COLCHESTER shopkeeper was forced to hand over thousands of pounds in cash and goods after he was confronted by two robbers this morning.

A COLCHESTER shopkeeper was forced to hand over thousands of pounds in cash and goods after he was confronted by two robbers this morning.

The attack happened as a newsagent was opening up the shop on Crouch Street shortly after 9am.

The two men walked into the premises wearing crash helmets, claimed they had a weapon and threatened the man with violence.

They then stole a large quantity of cigarettes and a four-figure sum of cash before making off towards Balkerne Hill.

Det Con Pete Burns said: “We believe these two men had probably been scoping the premises in the days and maybe weeks leading up to this attack.

“We will be looking through CCTV to see if they have been captured on camera, but in the meantime we are asking for people to digest the descriptions of these two and see if they register with anyone they may know.

“The area would have been semi-deserted at the time, but two men walking around with crash helmets are going to stand out so we are asking for any witnesses to also contact us.”

The robbers are described as white and in their 20s.

One man is described as being of thin build and wearing a black T-shirt which showed off tattoos on both arms.

He had a black and blue helmet.

His accomplice was of muscular build, was wearing a grey T-shirt and had a black and yellow helmet.

The 57-year-old shopkeeper was uninjured, but is recovering from shock.

Anyone with information in connection with this robbery is urged to contact detectives at Colchester police station on 0300 333 4444.