Armed raid on Salfords bookmakers (From Redhill And Reigate Life)
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Armed raid on Salfords bookmakers
3:56pm Wednesday 9th January 2013 in News
Police were this week hunting a “desperate and dangerous” armed raider who drew a gun on a staff member in a Salfords bookmakers.
The man, his face covered with a scarf, and wearing a black hat, threatened the employee with what is believed to be a silver handgun, after walking into Ladbrokes bookmakers in Brighton Road.
He walked straight up to the front counter and pulled the firearm out of a bag.
But the staff member, a man in his forties, refused the would-be robber's demands to open the till behind the counter, and the raider quickly fled on foot.
The attempted armed robbery happened on New Year's Day at around 2.25pm.
Police were quickly at the scene but despite a thorough search of the surrounding area and extensive house-to-house enquiries, were not able to find the raider.
A Surrey Police spokeswoman said Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO) have carried out a forensic examination of the bookmakers, and officers are reviewing local CCTV footage.
Detective Sergeant Jules Knowles said: "This was a planned offence where a desperate and dangerous offender has threatened an innocent member of staff with what his believed to be a firearm.”
Det Sgt Knowles said: "Fortunately the suspect walked away empty-handed and no-one was injured, but this must have been a terrifying experience for the member of staff, and clearly we need to track down the individual responsible as soon as possible.”
The raider was described as a white man aged in his 40s, who spoke with an English accent and was wearing a blue top, a black hat and what is believed to have been a scarf.
Det Sgt Knowles said: "This offence took place in a busy area in broad daylight so the suspect was clearly prepared to take great risks to get what he wanted.
"Serious offences of this nature are rare in Surrey and I would like to assure Redhill residents that we are doing everything possible to bring the culprits to justice.”
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has any information, should call Surrey Police on 101, quoting reference RB/13/21, or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
