A MAN, suspected of robbing there shops within 30-minutes, has been arrested by police.

The first raid is alleged to have happened at 9pm on Monday at the Co-Op in Southend Road, Grays.

It was followed minutes later by a raide at the Co-Op in Lodge Lane, Grays then a raid at the Tesco Express in Drake Road, Chafford Hundred at 9.30pm.

Police arrested a 24-year-old man from Purfleet at 10.10pm on suspicion of all three robberies.

He is currently being questioned by police.