TWO shops have been targeted within an hour of each other by men armed with knives.

The first incident took place just after 7pm on Tuesday evening at the Spar Store, formerly the Nisa Store, on Lanehouse Road, Thornaby, when a man robbed store armed with a knife. Scratch cards were taken and no one was injured in the incident.

The suspect is described as a white male, aged in his late 30’s around 5ft 8ins tall, average build and with ginger stubble. He was wearing a grey sports jacket and dark bottoms.

The second incident happened at around 7.50pm at a shop on Cumbernauld Road.

Three males attempted to rob the store with a knife. No one was injured in the incident and the suspects made off empty handed.

Two of the suspects are described as white males, around 5ft 11ins tall, of slim build and aged 20 to 30 years old.

A third suspect is described as a white male, around 5ft 7ins tall, of slim build and aged around 20 years old.

Detectives are continuing to investigate both incidents and are not ruling out a link between them at this stage.

Anyone with information regarding either of the robberies is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Amy Campbell from Stockton Volume Crime Team on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.