POLICE in Darlington have urged the public to be vigilant following a series of knifepoint robberies in the town.

Nine late-night shops have now been victims of the robbers over the past few weeks and police are appealing for help catch the culprits.

In the latest robbery, Bell Stores in Corporation Road was held up on Thursday just as it was closing at about 11pm.

Police have asked anyone with any information or who notices anything suspicious to contact them.

Inspector Craig Dixon said: "We've had nine very similar offences, which we believe at this stage may be linked.

"So we're asking people to be vigilant outside these stores and anyone who notices anyone acting in a suspicious manner to contact us.

"People shouldn't be approaching these people, just reporting them to us."

The robberies have all occurred between 8pm and 11pm.

On some occasions only one man was involved, while on others another man remained outside the shop as a lookout and preventing people from entering.

The men wore dark clothes and hooded tops and in some cases had scarves or stockings over their faces.

One man is described as being 6ft, with a slim build with dark hair.

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0845 60 60 365.