DETECTIVES believe there are residents in Malvern who know the identities of armed robbers who committed two gun-related crimes in the town and are urging them to come forward and supply more information.

Police say there is a strong possibility that a robbery at RJ Racing, Newtown Road at 4.50pm on New Year's Eve is linked to an attempted robbery during which a woman refused to hand over cash when confronted by a masked gunman at her back door in Leigh Sinton Road at 6pm on Saturday, January 8.

Det Insp Dave Bartlett, of South Worcestershire CID, who is leading the inquiry, said he believed the criminals in both incidents are local and that there are a number of people in Malvern who know - or who have their suspicions - as to who they are.

"Both these incidents involved firearms - whether real or replica we do not yet know for sure - and have naturally caused great upset to the people who were targeted," he added.

"Because the perpetrators were fully hooded in both incidents, we don't have any eyewitness method of identifying them at present," he said.

"We are hopeful, however, that one or more members of the community will know who they are -- perhaps through them boasting of their actions - and are prepared to come forward and help with our enquiries."

Det Insp Bartlett added both incidents could have had far worse consequences than they did.

"We want to catch these men as quickly as possible and firmly believe that at least one person in Malvern knows who they are," he said.

"We want that person to come forward and provide vital information that will greatly assist in these men appearing in court and being convicted of serious charges of armed robbery, which - hopefully - will carry substantial periods of imprisonment."

Anyone with any information about either incident should call police on 08457 444 888.

Two men arrested on January 10 at an address in Malvern in connection with both incidents were released by police on Wednesday.