Police appeal for help after bookmakers raided

Around 9-20 p.m. on Friday, two men wearing balaclavas entered the Ladbrokes bookmakers in Bank Street. One ran to the back of the shop and jumped over the counter threatening the cashier and demanding money while the second stood by the shop entrance.

The first man pushed the female shop assistant into the office at the back of the shop. On realising there was no money, he went back behind the counter and took money from the cash drawer before jumping back over the counter and running from the store with the second man.

A customer gave chase but the men ran along Mill Gate Road and got into a vehicle, believed to be a silver Toyota Avensis which drove off towards Marl Pits.

Detective Sergeant Mick Cross of Pennine CID said; “I would appeal to anyone who witnessed the robbery that has not yet spoken to police to come forward and contact us. Similarly, if anyone saw any suspicious activity in the area on the day or in the days or weeks leading up to the incident we would be very keen to speak to you.

“Fortunately, nobody was hurt although the assistant has been left shocked following what can only be described as a terrifying ordeal so if anyone does have any information I would urge them to contact the police.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on the new non-emergency number 101 or alternatively, information can be passed to independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or on-line at Crimestoppers-uk.org.