Armed raiders strike twice in a week

ARMED robbers have struck for a second time in a week in Bexhill - the 10th raid in the area in recent weeks.

Police are warning traders to remain vigilant. They are linking an attack on the BP Service Station in Ninfield Road with a series of armed robberies in Bexhill and Hastings. The catalogue of crime now runs into double figures and includes last week's Bexhill raid on Marina News.

The problem is such that police have set up Operation Mica in a bid to catch the raiders.

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Last week alone saw a gunman escape from the Marina News raid with cash and cigarettes, and two off-licences in Hastings held up within hours of each other.

The raids continue despite increased police activity. Two men armed with a handgun held up Thresher's off licence at The Ridge at Hastings at about 9pm on Monday this week. The One-Stop shop at The Ridge had been held up the previous evening, the gunmen escaping with about 200 in cash.

Two hooded men with scarves round their faces went to the busy Bexhill BP service station shortly after 9pm on Saturday. One produced a black handgun and demanded cash.

The two are believed to have made off on foot towards Sidley with around 200 in cash and a quantity of cigarettes. Staff at the service station were remaining tight-lipped about the raid this week.

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Armed robbery carries a stiff maximum penalty on conviction. Armed police teams plus police tracker dogs have responded to each of the raids.

Detective Inspector Trevor Bowles, head of Bexhill-based Rother CID said: "It is quite amazing that people will risk life imprisonment for 200 cigarettes!

"Obviously, they are risking the safety of members of the public and of the staff who work in such premises.

"We have got armed response teams which are available to use and they are very much aware of the current threat in this division."

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Inspector Max Mosley said: "This crime is being linked to the Hastings series. The two men answer a similar description to those given in relation to raids in Hastings.

"In total, we may be looking at 10 recent armed raids - but they may not all have been done by the same people."

One of the BP raiders was described as having ginger facial hair, a large nose and "drawn-in cheeks."

Inspector Mosley said: "Traders should remain vigilant. Check your CCTV system. Ensure there is a fresh tape in it at all times. Make sure the date and time are correctly set."

Anyone with information about the BP attack or any others in the series of armed raids is asked to contact Rother CID at Bexhill police station on 0845 6070999.