ARMED police descended on a petrol station in Devizes late last night after reports of a knife raid.

A police helicopter and a large number of patrol cars descended on the Esso garage next to the canal just a week after an armed raid was carried out at the bookmakers in The Brittox.

Worried people took to social media to express alarm at the second armed attack within a week. One said: "It is all getting very worrying. I think in some ways it is very useful at the moment for robbers, as no one will think it strange if your face is covered."

People living in the Waiblingen Way area of the town reported seeing the petrol station cordoned off and the helicopter overhead. One said: "I was walking dogs cops everywhere."

Others expressed concern for staff at the garage.