Robbers armed with weapons raided two Wigan convenience stores in just over 24 hours.
Cash and cigarettes were taken and staff were left 'shaken' following the two robberies earlier this month, which police have today (October 29) announced they believe to be linked.
Officers were called to the first robbery at around 9.30pm on Thursday, October 7, at a One Stop store on Chestnut Drive South, Leigh.
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Enquiries established that three men - wearing masks and wielding weapons - entered the shop and threatened staff with an axe before making off with a quantity of cash.
A fourth man was waiting outside in a stolen red VW Tiguan, and the men fled in the car in the direction of Beech Walk.
The car has since been recovered a short distance away on Chaucer Grove.
The next day, at around 10pm, police were called to reports of a second robbery at a One Stop store on Old Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield.
Two masked men - armed with a machete and a hammer - approached two members of staff and threatened them with the weapons before making off with a large quantity of cash and cigarettes.
No one was injured in either robbery.
No arrests have been made as yet and enquiries are ongoing, with both robberies being treated as linked by Greater Manchester Police.
Detective Constable Anita Lea, of GMP's Wigan Division, said: "These robberies were understandably terrifying for the innocent staff members who were threatened with weapons.
"This behaviour is completely unacceptable and we are following a number of enquiries to identify these offenders and ensure they are brought to justice.
"If anyone has any information at all, which could help police to complete their enquiries then please do not hesitate to get in touch."
Anyone with information can contact police on 0161 856 7124, quoting incident number 3240 of October 7, 2021.
Alternatively, reports can be made anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
