Armed gang 'targeting' Jamie Oliver after another restaurant robbery

A gang of robbers may be targeting celebrity chef Jamie Oliver following two raids within days of each other at restaurants linked to him.

The star put up a £150,000 reward after masked thugs ambushed his parents' pub and made off with £10,000 last week.

It has now been revealed that Oliver's fashionable Fifteen restaurant in London was the scene of a similar heist four days earlier.

A gang of four men besieged a young female employee as she went to bank the Easter weekend takings.

Police believe the robbers were waiting outside the restaurant in Hoxton, London and pounced as she stepped out of the door.

Hackney Robbery Squad are now liaising with officers from Essex police to see if the raid is connected to the break-in at Trevor and Sally Oliver's pub The Cricketers in Clavering, Essex.

Five masked men armed with baseball bats and hammers took part in the robbery on The Cricketers.

They struck at about 11pm as the pub was closing and made off with £10,000 in cash from a till and a safe.

Mr and Mrs Oliver were not at the pub but staff were threatened and two were assaulted.

Oliver, 31, later offered a reward, saying: "People would grass up these low men in a second for 150 grand."

As yet, there is no indication of whether the two incidents are linked.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "We are aware of the incident in Essex and will liaise with police there if necessary."

The attack on the staff member at Fifteen took place at 9.35am on April 10.

No weapons were used but the woman was terrified as the men surrounded her and grabbed the money, thought to be £10,000. She was not injured.

The men also snatched credit card receipts and bosses have contacted customers to alert them.

The Met said there had been no arrests and inquiries were continuing.

Fifteen is a not-for-profit restaurant which give disadvantaged young people the chance to train as chefs.

It originally became well-known after being featured in the Channel 4 series Jamie's Kitchen.

Oliver's spokesman said police had asked him not to comment on possible links but security at all his restaurants has been tightened.