CCTV images have been released of two men armed with a sledgehammer and a golf club robbing a convenience store.
The men threatened staff at Co-Op in Sun Street, Waltham Abbey, before taking £1,500 cash from the tills at 5.20pm on December 27.
They are belived to left the area in a red Audi TT.
Police have described the robbers as white, wearing hooded tops, grey jogging bottoms and scarves covering their faces.
One of the men wore white trainers.
The afternoon robbery sparked concerns among residents and business owners about the lack of police patrols in the area.
Anyone with information is asked to Pc Rob Guiney at Loughton CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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