THREE armed robbers stole thousands of pounds from a Silver End Co-op yesterday.  

The men entered the supermarket, in the Broadway, at around 9.50pm, pushed staff to the floor and demanded money from the safe. 

The men, armed with a hammer and a pole, made off with thousands of pounds. 

The staff were left shaken after the incident but were not injured.

The three men had their faces covered, one was wearing a green coat, dark bottoms and had a northern accent. 

The second was wearing a black coat, and the third man was white, wearing a dark baseball cap with a possible silver Nike tick on it, a thigh legth blue coat, navy blue jeans and a white scard with a blue pattern.  

A 17-year-old man was arrested near the scene on suspicion of robbery and possession of drugs and is in custody.

DCI Josie Hayes, is leading the investigation, she said: "This would have been a frightening ordeal for the store staff.

"There have been a number of similar incidents in the area during the past month and investigators are establishing whether the offences are connected.

"I would urge anybody who has any information about the people who may be responsible or involved to come forward.”

Police believe the incident may be linked to similar recent attacks, including an armed robbery at the Co-Op in Abels Road, Halstead on January 17, a robbery at the Great Yeldham Post Office on January 5, and a robbery at the Chelmsford Star Co-Op in Church Street, Braintree, on December 16. 

DCI Hayes added: "Essex Police will not tolerate people causing fear and threatening violence and we are confident that we will find the people responsible.

"The local community can play an important part in bringing these people to justice and I would urge anyone with any information about these incidents to come forward.”

Anybody that can help is asked to contact the Serious and Organised Crime Unit on Essex Police 101. 

People can also give information to the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via an Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org