Armed gang carry out five robberies in Leicester and Houghton-on-the-Hill

An armed gang carried out five robberies in the space of 48 hours firing shots during three of the raids in Leicester.

Police said the first armed raid happened on Friday at a store in Uppingham Road, three other robberies happened on Saturday at stores in Humberstone Lane in Thurmaston, Saffron Lane and Cardinals Walk, both in Leicester.

Leicestershire police are appealing for witnesses after five robberies over the weekend in Leicester and Houghton on the Hill

The gang fired shots with a replica gun during the three robberies on Saturday. One shop worker received a minor injury to their arm after the shootings.

The fifth robbery happened at 7.55pm on Sunday at a petrol station in Houghton on the Hill.

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Two robbers entered the petrol station in Uppingham Road and threatened a member of staff with a handgun.

One of the raiders took cash from the till and both fled towards Ingarsby Lane where they got into a red car and drove off. No-one was injured.

Following the robbery in Houghton, police in Highfields arrested four people - three boys, one aged 17 and two aged 16, and a woman, aged 25. A 16-year-old boy and the 25-year-old woman have since been released without charge. A 16-year-old and 17-year-old remain in police custody.

Police are looking into the possibility that the Houghton robbery is linked to the four raids in Leicester.

Detective Inspector Simon Cure said: “We are working hard to investigate these crimes and I would like to reassure local businesses and the communities that police patrols were increased following the weekend robberies, which resulted in last night’s arrests. If you have any information about the robberies I would urge you to call us immediately.”

Anyone with any information about the incidents is asked to contact police in on 101.