CATCHING armed raiders who target vulnerable shop workers is a top priority for Colchester police after statistics showed a spike in the number of robberies committed.

According to latest figures released by the force, there has been a 52 per cent increase in the number of robberies in the last year across the borough - a total of 45 extra incidents.

At the end of 2017, during a specialist initiative called Operation Washington, officers were able to pinpoint crooks who were targeting people in the street for valuables, such as cash and mobile phones.

Several people were taken to court and police secured criminal behaviour orders and custodial sentences for those responsible.

But since the start of the year, the focus of the operation has moved to armed robberies on small shops, such as off licences and newsagents, after several raids where workers were threatened with weapons.

Chief Insp Shaun Kane, district commander for Colchester, said his team were doing all they could to identify those responsible.

He said he did not believe they were organised criminals.

He said: “Any robbery is one too many.

“Those which were taking place in the latter part of 2017 were sporadic and opportunistic.

“The flexibility of the operation means we are now focusing on those who commit robberies on people who are at vulnerable locations.

“We are working closely with colleagues in CID and have a strong forensic strategy.

“This allows us to locate offenders even if it is some time after the original offence.”

The Martin’s store at The Centre in Colchester has been targeted twice by armed robbers in the past few weeks.

An armed man went into the shop with a knife and demanded the shop assistant hand over £40 in cash earlier this month, while in November a man cycled away from the store after demanding to be given money.

In January, a gang of four masked raiders stole cigarettes and booze from the Premier in Church Lane, Lexden.

Mr Kane urged people to be vigilant and report any incidents to police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

He said: “Since the launch of Operation Washington there has been a downward trend but people need to be aware when they are out and about.”