BUSINESSES are being warned to be extra vigilant following a spate of armed robberies in Bolton.

During the last five weeks, there have been four raids on banks and service stations across the town.

The robberies are not being linked at this stage, but police chiefs are urging all firms to be on the lookout.

During the latest robbery last Friday, two masked gunmen stormed into Park View Service Station in Bolton Road, Kearsley, just before 4pm while a security guard was collecting cash.

They threatened the staff and forced them to hand over a substantial amount of money.

The men fled in a stolen brown Rover which was later found abandoned in Oakes Street.

Detectives are trying to trace the next movements of the gang and have appealed for information.

Eight days earlier, armed raiders held two women hostage with a machete and a handgun during an armed robbery at Barclays bank in Winter Hey Lane, Horwich.

Police released CCTV footage of the women's terrifying ordeal in the hope it would lead to the identity of the gang who escaped with more than £100,000.

At the start of August, a man posing as a postman tied up bank staff as they arrived at the Royal Bank of Scotland on Deane Road, Deane.

He threatened them with a gun before making off with a large quantity of cash.

Three weeks ago, two masked men threatened to slash security guards at a garage in Bradford Street, the Haulgh, unless they agreed to hand over cash boxes containing more than £100,000 which was about to be put into a cash point.

Det Chief Insp George Fawcett from Bolton Police said: "I would like to warn anyone who is dealing with a large amount of money to be extra vigilant and report anything suspicious to the police.

"Detectives are looking to see if there is any link between the incidents and are following up a number of leads. Although there has been a recent increase in offences, it is still rare in Bolton.

"I would like to reassure the public that we are working with other agencies to try to catch these criminals."

In each of the incidents, weapons were used and although no one was injured, it was a very traumatic experience for everyone involved.

"The robberies were well-planned and anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area at the time is asked to come forward."

Bolton CID can be contacted on 0161 856 5740.