THE East Yorkshire coast has been hit by a spate of robberies in which gangs have threatened people with hammers, then made off with cash.

Police are linking the incidents and have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

The latest robbery happened at about 9.55pm on Monday. Two masked men armed with a hammer threatened staff at the Co-op shop in Dog and Duck Square, Flamborough.

They escaped with a four-figure sum of cash then drove off in a Vauxhall Vectra, R774 CJA, stolen from West Yorkshire and later found abandoned in Bridlington.

Two Co-op staff members were said to be left shocked, but not physically hurt by the robbery.

The first robber was said to be white, stockily built, aged 25 to 30 and wearing a thick black and white hooped jumper.

His accomplice was also white, of medium build and slightly younger.

At about 9.50pm on May 27, at the Co-op shop in Wheatley Drive, Bridlington, cash and cigarettes were stolen after staff were threatened with a hammer.

The robbers escaped in a Mitsubishi Charisma car, which was found the next day on the B1253 near Boynton, close to Bridlington.

In a third incident, which occurred at about 10.40pm on May 21, a security guard was threatened with a hammer as he emptied pay and display machines in the Limekiln Lane car park, in Bridlington.

A small amount of cash was stolen and the robbers escaped in a Ford Escort, which was later found abandoned in Sewerby Hall car park.

Humberside Police spokesman Inspector Steve Page said: "Detectives want to hear from anyone who may be able to assist in the identification of those responsible for these attacks.

"They may involve a degree of pre-planning and businesses are encouraged to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police."

Anyone with information is asked to phone the police 01262 402700 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Updated: 10:49 Wednesday, June 11, 2003