THE manager of a jewellery shop has praised quick thinking staff as detectives link it with another robbery three months ago at another branch.

Masked raiders targeted Market Cross Jewellers in Middlesbrough brandishing axes but staff members were able to activate ‘anti-bandit’ smoke which filled the Linthorpe Road store in seconds making it difficult for the robbers.

The raid comes three months after a similar attack on the company’s Yarm store when four armed robbers stole hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of expensive watches and jewellery.

Company manager Dawn Welsh said: “I have to say, what great staff. They reacted so quickly. If that fog hadn’t been set off straight away they would have had a lot longer.

“Once the smoke comes down, you literally can’t see in front of your face.

“A male member of staff ran out the front door, through Burger King and rang police.

“Every one of them had an axe and it was obviously was very frightening, but I think it’s only just sinking in now the shock has passed.”

No-one was injured during the robbery but questions have been raised about the bollard system not working in the pedestrian only area.

She said: “You usually have to buzz at that time, and give your name and company before they let you through, for deliveries and things. But it hasn’t been working for weeks, and that’s how they’ve been able to park right outside. We’ve been asking for ages for it to be sorted out.”

A Middlesbrough Council spokesman said it was inappropriate to comment while an investigation was ongoing.

Temporary Detective Chief Inspector John Ward says there are similarities between the two robberies and has not ruled out the possibility that they are connected.

He said: "There are clearly similarities between [yesterday's] robbery and the one that took place in Yarm in November and numerous lines of inquiry are being pursued in both cases.

"Officers would like to speak to anyone who may have seen, or have knowledge of, a silver Citroen C Crosser motor vehicle bearing the registration plates MK60 XCD.

"We believe this vehicle was involved in the [Middlesbrough] robbery and it was later discovered abandoned in the car park next to Leader timber merchants on Newport Road, Middlesbrough.

"We would also appeal to local hoteliers and to those who run local bed and breakfast venues to alert us should they have had any guests who may have raised their suspicions over recent days and who may have spoken with a North West accent."

Police confirmed that a 24-year-old man from Manchester was arrested in connection with the Yarm incident last week. He has now been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Anyone with information is urged to call Cleveland Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.