Members of the public could be eligible for a reward of up to £1,000 if they have information on a series of linked robberies on Canvey Island. [1 June 2012]

The reward is available from the independent charity Crimestoppers for information leading to the arrest and charge of the individual(s) responsible for the incidents.

The most recent armed robbery happened on Sunday May 6 shortly after 10.00pm at Nearbuys on Dovervelt Road. A man threatened staff with a knife, demanding that money be handed over. When the female cashier refused the man ran off empty-handed.

Police are linking this robbery to three other incidents: Tuesday April 17 around 10pm at the Murco garage on High Street, Wednesday April 18 around 9.30pm at the Co-op on Long Road, and Wednesday April 18 around 9.50pm at Nearbuys on Dovervelt Road. All incidents involved a knife.

The assailant is described as white, in his 20s, has blue eyes and short, dark hair and is approximately six foot tall. CCTV images can be seen on the Most Wanted section of the Crimestoppers website: http://wanted.crimestoppers-uk.org/detail.aspx?ID=44888

Crimestoppers, which allows people to give information 100 per cent anonymously on the 24/7 number 0800 555 111 and via a secure online form is urging members of the public to come forward with information to help catch the person responsible.

Ann Scott, Eastern Regional Manager for Crimestoppers said: “Armed robberies are thankfully extremely rare on Canvey Island, which makes these incidents all the more shocking. Please come forward to the independent charity Crimestoppers so these crimes can be solved. You have nothing to fear by contacting Crimestoppers as we never ask for your name or take any personal details. We do not record our calls and we do not trace calls or IP addresses.  You won’t have to give a statement, speak to the police or go to court – we only want to know what you know, not who you are. In the 24 years that Crimestoppers has been running we have never broken our anonymity promise.”

She added “Did someone you know display unusual behaviour the nights of the armed robberies? Has someone confessed to being involved? Perhaps someone witnessed one of the events or saw suspicious activity in the area those nights? Crimestoppers wants to receive any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem”.

Only information given to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 that leads to an arrest and charge is eligible for the reward. Information can be given online but information will not be eligible for a reward this way.