Police are investigating two aggravated robberies in Christchurch on Wednesday evening that happened within minutes of each other and left two staff members in hospital.

At about 8.10pm, two people armed with a weapon entered a commercial premises on Briggs Road in Shirley. An employee was assaulted and taken to hospital. The pair left in a stolen vehicle. Police say it’s not yet clear what was taken.

Roughly ten minutes later, at around 8.20pm, two people with a weapon entered a commercial premises on McBratneys Road. An employee was assaulted, suffered moderate injuries, and was also transported to hospital. In that incident, the offenders targeted cash before leaving in a vehicle.

Detectives are working to identify and locate the two offenders and to determine whether the incidents are linked.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police on 105, quoting reference P066002858. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.