Pub robberies: rural landlords warned to beware of armed gangs
Police are warning pub landlords in north east Wales to be vigilant after armed robbers targeted two more pubs.
Three men wearing balaclavas carrying hammers escaped with a small amount of cash from the Red Lion Inn at Llanasa, near Holywell, on Tuesday night.
Within an hour a gang fled empty-handed following an attempted robbery at the Cross Foxes in Prestatyn.
Detectives say they do not yet know if the incidents are linked to each other or a pub robbery at Gronant on Sunday.
The first of Tuesday's incidents happened at around 22:30 GMT. No-one was hurt.
In the second incident at around 23:15 GMT, three men also wearing balaclavas and hoods, one armed with a hammer and another with a bat, entered the back of the Cross Foxes pub in Meliden Road, Prestatyn.
One customer received minor injuries to his arm, but the raiders fled empty-handed towards Ffordd Las.
The incidents follow an armed robbery at the Bells of St Mary's in Gronant, Flintshire, at around 23:00 GMT on Sunday night.
Police said five masked men, one armed with a hammer and another with a wheel brace, escaped with a substantial amount of cash after threatening staff during that raid.
Det Insp Alun Oldfield said: "It is too early say whether both incidents are linked or whether there is any connection with a robbery at the Bells of St Mary's pub in Gronant on Sunday night.
"I would appeal to landlords throughout Flintshire and Denbighshire to consider how they are handling their cash and to consider staff safety at closing times.
"We will be carrying out an operation to address community concerns and the concerns of landlords.
"Local community beat managers will be visiting rural pubs to discuss and advise on security and we will also stepping up patrols around closing time."
Anyone with information is asked to call North Wales Police on 101 or anonymously on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.