STAFF at a Halstead supermarket were threatened by four men armed with screwdrivers and crowbars during a robbery last night.

Police were called to the Co-op in Abels Road at 8.50pm.

Four men entered the store, threatening staff and demanding money.

They left with a quantity of cash.

Police confirmed the men were believed to have been armed with screwdrivers and crowbars. 

It comes just a month after a robbery at the same store on January 17 when four men armed with a crowbar and hammer stole thousands of pounds.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "Enquiries are ongoing and officers are investigating to see whether or not this is linked to other robberies in the Braintree district in recent months."

A spokesman for the East of England Co-op said: “I can confirm that an armed robbery took place yesterday evening (Wednesday 22 February) at our Parkfields food store on Abels Road, Halstead.

"We are doing all we can to support our colleagues involved in this distressing incident.

"The store is temporarily closed whilst Scenes of Crime Officers carry out their investigation.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Essex Police on 101 quoting incident 949 of 22/02 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.