by Lynn Cox

A milkman has been hurt during a shop robbery which is being linked to two others in Medway.

The McColl’s newsagents in Orion Road, Rochester, was targeted in the early hours of this morning. It is the second robbery at the store in the past month and although police aren’t linking them – investigators are linking this latest robbery to two others at a McColl’s newsagents in Chatham, earlier this year.

The robbery happened at 5.45am this morning when two men wearing balaclavas and blue, papery looking, overalls, followed the milkman through the back door. One of the men was carrying a metal bar.

Once inside, the robbers tied up both the milkman and a female member of staff before emptying the safe and putting the cash in a black bag. They left in the direction of Association Walk.

The milkman sustained minor injuries to his face when he tried to stop the offenders entering the newsagents.

The men are described as white, in their late 30s to early 40s, and wearing gloves.

One man who lives on the Warren Wood estate, said: "The shop was all closed up when I went down this morning at about 8.30am.

"I could see there was a police van out the back, but that was about it."

McColl’s in Rochester was robbed on August 29, when two men who threatened staff at knifepoint and made off with thousands of pounds. But police do not believe the same people were involved in the two incidents.

Police are, however, linking this latest robbery to two others at McColl's in Admiral's Walk, Chatham. The first was on March 5, at 5.15am and the second was on April 29, at 9.50pm.

Anyone who may have information about the robberies is urged to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.