Two hold-ups took place in Iklin and Gzira within a space of five minutes yesterday evening, the police said in a statement.

At 7pm, a hooded man armed with a firearm entered a shop in Giovanni Curmi Street in Iklin and demanded money from the shop assistant, a 44-year-old woman of Birkirkara. He fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Five minutes later, a hooded man armed with a knife entered a shop in Sliema Road, Gzira, and also demanded money from the shop assistant, a 57-year-old woman of Marsascala. He also fled with an undisclosed amount of money.

The police are investigating.