A masked robber forced a terrified betting shop worker to open a safe and hand over cash on Saturday night.

The man, who was believed to be armed, robbed Ladbrokes in the Broadway, Stoneleigh, at about 8.50pm.

The robber, wearing a scarf and black hooded jacket, made off with the cash but did not hurt the member of staff.

Police are now hunting for the man, who was white, in his late 20s to 30s and had a local accent. He wore light blue jeans and black and white trainers.

Detective Sergeant Antony Preston said: "Obviously this was a terrifying ordeal for the victim and I would like to reassure the community that we are doing all we can to find the person responsible as quickly as possible and bring them to justice.

"I would urge members of the public not to approach or challenge anyone matching the description of the offender but to contact officers immediately if you can identify him or know his whereabouts."

Officers, from the Epsom and Ewell North Safer Neighbourhood Team, have assisted detectives from East Surrey CID at the crime scene.

It is not yet known if the betting shop worker was on his own at the time of the attack.

Last year North Cheam man Andrew Iacovou was brutally murdered while working on his own in a betting shop at the Morden branch of Ladbrokes.

The murder prompted this newspaper group to launch the SafeBet campaign which is calling on the betting industry to improve safety for staff by ending the practice of 'single manning' shops.

Two men, who claimed to have a firearm, forced a staff member to hand over cash at Coral bookmakers in Chessington Road, Ewell, in August.

Anyone with information should call Surrey Police urgently on 101, quoting reference P14031350.

To provide information anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

 

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