An armed gang who have carried out a series of violent robberies in Norfolk have struck again, police believe. Detectives are investigating an armed robbery in which five people were threatened by armed men in balaclavas at a bowls club near Thetford during the early hours of this morning .

An armed gang who have carried out a series of violent robberies in Norfolk have struck again, police believe.

Detectives are investigating an armed robbery in which five people were threatened by armed men in balaclavas at a bowls club near Thetford during the early hours of this morning .

The incident, at Weeting Bowls Club, is being linked to a series of armed robberies believed to have been carried out by the same group of men at locations across west Norfolk in the past two weeks.

Police believe the gang are targeting business premises or properties linked to businesses.

The latest robbery bears a number of similarities to earlier attacks. Three men wearing balaclavas and armed with shotguns and a metal bar entered the club in Lynn Road shortly after midnight.

The five people inside the club were threatened by the gang, who stole a quantity of cash, before making off in a vehicle driven by a fourth man.

The investigation had previously linked armed robberies dating from September 10 at homes and business premises in Nordelph, Stowbridge, North Runcton , Upwell and Wereham.

A similar incident at Elm near Wisbech is being investigated by Cambridgeshire police.

Det Insp Mark Beresford, who is leading the investigation, said: “The Weeting robbery bears a number of similarities to the earlier cases and is therefore being linked at this time.

“While two of the men brandished shotguns, no firearms were discharged and thankfully no-one was hurt although this was obviously a frightening incident for those involved.

“Our investigation remains very focused and the team is working flat out to capture those involved. In the mean time, we ask the public and business owners to remain vigilant, not to engage with this group of men and to report any suspicious activity immediately to police.”

A team of 25 detectives led by Norfolk 's Major Investigation Team is working on the case, and they are liaising closely with neighbouring forces, in Lincolnshire , Cambridgeshire and Suffolk .

Detectives are believed to be looking at the possibility the gang is local and could be part of the same family.

They are working round the clock to catch the gang, who have been described as desperate and dangerous.