WILTSHIRE Police are appealing for witnesses after three break-ins and an armed robbery at shops in Chippenham, Melksham and Corsham this morning.

Detectives are investigating four separate incidents in three towns and are considering the possibility that they could be linked.

They are:

- A break-in at Best One shop in London Road, Chippenham, at 2.26am. Offender gained entry through the front door and cash was stolen from the till.

- A break-in at 3.07am at the Co-Op in Blackmore Road, Melksham, where a large quantity of cigarettes was stolen.

- A break-in at Barnett Brothers newsagents in Corsham High Street at 5.35am, where a witness reported seeing two men running out of the shop. The shop had been broken into via the front door and cigarettes have been stolen.

- Report of an armed robbery at Jones Convenience Store, in Forest Road, Melksham. This call came in at 6.05am and a member of staff was threatened by two men who were carrying a knife and what is believed to be a replica handgun. They took money from the till.

The two men involved in the armed robbery in Melksham have been described as white and they were both wearing balaclavas or scarves over their faces.

One was around 5ft 8ins tall and was wearing a dark clothing. The other was carrying an orange carrier bag.

DS Sarah Mackett, from Melksham CID, appealed for anyone who may have witnessed anything at either of the four locations to contact police.

She said: “We are currently investigating four separate incidents, in three different towns, but we are keeping an open mind about the possibility that they are linked.

“We believe we are dealing with two or three offenders who are likely to have access to a vehicle, and we want to hear from anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious at any of these four locations.

“The armed robbery is of particular concern and although nobody was injured, the staff who were in the shop at the time have been left understandably shaken and frightened by what happened.

“We are still in the very early stages of our investigation, but we do have CSI teams attending the scene and are looking through some CCTV footage at the various premises. I want to reassure the public that we are taking these incidents seriously and will be doing everything we can to catch those responsible.”

Anyone with information should contact Melksham CID on 101. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.