Officers link Stafford and Heath Hayes raids

Masked burglars swooped on two shops in Staffordshire in raids 20 minutes apart in the early hours, escaping with a large haul of cigarettes.

Police are linking the crimes, at Co-op in Wildwood Drive, Stafford, and the One Stop petrol station in Heath Way, Heath Hayes.

Two men fled the scene of the first raid empty handed but secured a stash of cigarettes in the second break-in. A dark Audi was involved in the One Stop burglary, police said today.

They are hunting two men who were wearing balaclavas. One had a blue jacket with yellow piping on the back.

The raids happened at 3.10am and 3.30am on Monday.

DC Marc Bailey said today: "We have launched investigations into both incidents, which are believed to be linked, and we would like to speak to witnesses."

Co-op spokeswoman Sarah-Jayne Butcher confirmed the burglary. "No staff were involved in the incident and the store continued to trade in the morning as normal," she said.