Police investigating a series of knife raids around Macclesfield have made three arrests. Hold-ups took place at a Co-op store, a newsagents and a wine merchants within five days of each other in the last two weeks.

A lone man entered each premises, before threatening staff with a knife and making off with cash.

The three arrested have been released on police bail.

Police say they are still looking for another man in connection with the crimes.

Inspector Steve Griffiths, head of Macclesfield Neighbourhood Policing Unit , said: “We’ve made three arrests in connection with the robberies last week and we are hoping to speak to another person.

“Hopefully the person that carried out these robberies knows now that we mean business.”

The three raids occurred at the Co-op on Chester Road, Park News on Brown Street and Portland Wine Company, also on Chester Road, between the evening of Wednesday, August 28 and the evening of Monday, September 2.

Police believe the raider is local to Macclesfield, and believe that an increase in patrols has prevented another hold-up from taking place. Insp Griffiths said: “We think it is someone local to the area, as they knew exactly how to get away after the robberies took place.

“Due to the quick response of police to the crimes in the last week or so, there has not been a robbery for eight days. We have been outside shops and monitoring them at closing times just to make sure nothing else happens.

“People need to keep reporting suspicious activity and we’d ask anyone to come forward if they have any knowledge of who the robber may be.”

Police also say they are still searching for the gunman who held up a local building society.

The Britannia Building Society in the town centre was held up at gunpoint on Thursday, August 29. Police say that they are looking into the possibility the hold up may be connected to other crimes that have occurred around the country.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Ankers said: “There are other crimes with similar methods that have taken place in different regions but so far we have not linked the robbery to any other offences at this stage. We are speaking to colleagues in other areas to find out if there is any link, but we still are urging anyone with information to come forward.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101, or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.