Appeal after two armed robberies at Belfast petrol stations

Armed robbers have struck at two filling stations in north Belfast.

Detectives are appealing for information about the hold-ups, which they believe may be linked, that happened in the space of around three hours last night.

The first incident unfolded at a filling station on the Crumlin Road at around 6.45pm when two males, one carrying a knife and the other wielding an extensible baton, entered the premises and threatened staff.

They made off on foot with a sum of cash from the till.

The PSNI said one of the thieves was wearing a yellow hooded top and grey track bottoms. The second was wearing a black jacket and blue track bottoms.

Just over three hours later one male entered a filling station on the Shankill Road carrying an iron bar and threatened staff.

He made off on foot with a sum of cash.

The thief was described as being approximately 5ft 10in (1.8m), in his late teens or early 20s, wearing a white and grey hooded top and blue track bottoms.

Police have asked any witnesses to come forward.

PA