DETECTIVES investigating a terrifying raid at a town centre pawnbrokers believe the gang of robbers were from Bolton.

Early intelligence suggests that the bikes used in the robbery at H&T Pawnbrokers were stolen in the town earlier that day, one reportedly in Farnworth.

The store has reopened, with additional security, and a spokesman for it confirmed that no staff were hurt in the raid on Friday afternoon at 4.45pm.

Police are working on the theory that the robbers responsible are from Bolton, but believe the gang behind a second terrifying raid four days earlier were from outside the town.

The investigation into the raid on a transit van at Aldi last Monday is being approached from a force-wide perspective, police sources say, and the two robberies are not being linked.

Neither is the pawnbrokers raid being connected with an almost identical one at Arthur Kay and Bro in Manchester on Thursday.

Four armed robbers brandishing axes and crowbars stole a "large amount of jewellery" from the pawnbrokers, smashing glass cabinets inside.

A 66-year-old man was injured after trying to knock the gang off their bikes with a billboard. He was hit by one bike as it fled but was discharged from hospital later on Friday.

The bikes used were a black Yamaha and black Suzuki Enduro.

Quick-thinking members of the public took pictures of the robbers with their phones which have been handed to police.

The four robbers are described as wearing dark, waterproof clothing. One of the men was wearing yellow reflective hi-vis trousers. They were all wearing motorbike helmets.

A spokesman for H&T Pawnbrokers said: "We can confirm a robbery took place at our store in Bolton on Friday, July 3, all members of staff present in the store at the time are safe and sustained no injuries.

"The robbers managed to get access to the retail stock in the window area, some of which was taken. They did not gain entry to the customer property area.

"A comprehensive security review is under way in store. It is now open for business, with additional security guards in place.

"We are grateful for the support of members of public, particularly one local gentleman who offered help. The police are currently investigating."

Tens of thousands of pounds in cash was stolen in the Aldi raid.

A gang of up to five robbers armed with machetes struck at 3pm, with a 32-year-old man suffering slash wounds after trying to thwart the robbers, who used a black VW Golf as a getaway vehicle.

The Bolton News has been told that the car was stolen, and later found abandoned in back Roxalina Street in Great Lever.

No arrests have been made in connection with either raid.

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 5594 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.