POLICE in Accrington are urging the public to be vigilant after the town witnessed two robberies in as many days.

Officers believe the raids, the first at the BP Supermart petrol station, in Hyndburn Road, on Wednesday and the other on Thursday at Blackburn Road post office, could be linked.

They are also reviewing recent robberies in the Blackburn and Accrington area to see if there are any similarities.

Three men escaped with hundreds of pounds from a cash box they grabbed from a Post Office guard making deliveries on Thursday.

Three men were also involved in Wednesday's raid at BP Supermart were they stole cash and cigarettes.

Police have not ruled out the possibility that a gun was used in the first robbery on Wednesday.

It is thought the gang who carried out Wednesday's robbery could be local.

Police want shoppers and revellers to be vigilant for any suspicious activity or anybody being sold stolen goods.

Detective Inspector Ian Critchley of Blackburn CID is investigating possible links between the raids.

He said: "We have had no further developments in the two robberies as yet but we have been reviewing CCTV footage.

"They may be linked to others we have had in previous weeks but there is no clear evidence yet to suggest they are.

"The car used as a getaway in Thursday's robbery is still outstanding so we will be trying to trace that.

"We are still appealing for witnesses to both incidents and would urge anyone who saw anything to contact us."

PS Mark Porter of Accrington Police said: "People should not panic because it is not a major problem or something we see happening very often. We have just had a spate of them recently.

"In these situations, depending on what is taken, goods will generally find their way around and will be sold in public houses, for example cigarettes.

"We would ask people that anything that they see or hear they pass on to us or call crimestoppers."

PS Porter also urged the public not to make themselves victims of crime by keeping safe at night.

It follows a number of recent incidents in which people have been assaulted or had items stolen.

He said: "The message again is don't panic.

"People need to be careful what they are carrying around with them and where they carry it, in particular around parks and quiet footpaths.

"People should keep in sight of the public and should not use unlit or secluded footpaths unless they really have to."

Anyone with information on the two robberies or information on other crimes can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.