A betting shop is introducing extra security measures after robbers threatened to shoot a lone worker on Thursday night.

Two men who claimed to have a firearm forced a staff member to hand over cash at Coral bookmakers in Chessington Road, Ewell, just before 6pm.

The robbery comes three months after Andrew Iacovou, 55, from North Cheam, was bludgeoned to death as he worked alone in Ladbrokes in Morden.

Coral spokesman David Stevens said although there was only one person in the shop last week when the robbers struck two members of staff were actually on duty that night but the deputy was out at the time.

He said: "In no way was that linked to the incident, it was just unfortunate timing."

And he said there is no evidence that betting shops are more vulnerable if there is just one person on duty.

Mr Stevens said there is nothing to suggest betting shops are more vulnerable to robberies than off licences, petrol stations or other businesses.

He said: "It’s an indictment on society. It’s not an indictment on betting shops. Clearly when there is an incident like this, our security team look at it and measures are taken.

"We are doing everything possible, but you can never prevent something like this if there are individuals willing to take this action."

 

The threatened worker has already returned back to work.

Mr Stevens said: "He was unsurprisingly shaken up but fortunately unharmed. It was a particularly unpleasant incident."

Mr Stevens said only a ‘small amount’ was taken, adding: "It is never as much as people think. There are never large sums of money available in betting shops."

Police are hunting for a white man, 5ft 7ins, who wearing a grey tracksuit during the robbery, and a mixed race man, 6ft. They are in their late teens or early twenties.

Mr Stevens said: "If anyone does have information, we would encourage them to come forward to the police."

Hairdresser Sheila Curzon, manager of Hair Today by Sheila in Chessington Road, said police visited her on Friday morning but she did not hear anything during the robbery.

Ms Curzon said: "I was so busy doing my tint and having my hair done. The first thing I knew police cars were arriving and taped it off. It is concerning.

"The only thing you can do is be aware these sorts of things happen."

Ms Curzon, who has worked in the location for 43 years, said to her knowledge it was the third time that Coral had been robbed.

She said: "I have been done three times so I know what it’s like. I have got a burglar alarm and bars up and I’m very, very vigilant. I’m not here on my own."

Anyone with any information should call Surrey Police on 101, quoting reference EP/13/3463, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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