DETECTIVES are investigating two masked raids on Prestwich bakeries in the space of ten days.

Police officers say the two incidents could be linked and have urged anyone with information to get in touch.

The first robbery took place at Martins Bakers in Bury New Road, during the usual busy lunchtime rush.

At 12.10pm on Tuesday February 3, four masked men stormed into the shop, one of whom was carrying a knife.

He threatened to stab the members of staff behind the counter unless they handed over cash.

Police say they co-operated with the men and gave them a "small amount" of cash from the till.

In an attempt to delay staff calling police, one of the men grabbed a mobile phone belonging to a shop assistant, before the gang fled on foot.

A Martins employee, who asked not to be named, said: "It was a terrible thing to happen, but the main thing is that no one got hurt.

"What surprised me the most is that this is our busiest time of day and usually there would be lots of people in the queue, but it was just lucky that no one else was in the shop."

The second raid took place at Greggs in the Longfield Centre at 5.30pm last Friday.

Three masked men ran into the shop and threatened to hurt staff if they did not hand over money.

The gang took money from the till and the safe before fleeing.

A Prestwich Police spokesman said: "There are similarities between these two incidents and we are considering the possibility that they could be linked and the same individuals could be involved.

"Fortunately, no one was physically hurt in these robberies, but the psychological impact of being threatened — especially when weapons are involved — cannot be underestimated.

"We would urge anyone who saw either incident, or who has any information about what happened, to get in touch with us on 101."