Appeal after bookies robbed at gun-point

A CASHIER was threatened at gun-point during a robbery at a bookmakers in Worcester.

A man brandishing what appeared to be a hand-gun walked into Backhouse Bet on Angel Street and demanded money from a member of staff at about 5.20pm on Monday (March 26).

At first he put the weapon, which police say could have been a replica, on the counter before picking it up and pointing it at the cashier.

The robber made off with an undisclosed amount of cash and walked up Angel Street, towards the junction with Foregate Street. It is believed he then turned right onto The Cross.

He is described as white, aged about 30, 5ft 10ins tall, of a slim build and had thick stubble or a beard. He was wearing a brown baseball cap, a black fitted North Face jacket, dark-coloured jeans and grey plimsolls.

Detective Inspector Richard Rees from Worcester CID said: "The man was very calm, quiet and controlled in his manner throughout the robbery - even apologising at times.

"A member of staff was threatened with a weapon, but it could have been a replica or an air weapon.

"I would like to reassure people that robberies like this are extremely rare in Worcester and we will do everything we can to bring the person responsible for this crime to justice.

"The area of the city where this happened is very central and would have been busy with commuters on their way home at the time of the incident. I would appeal to anyone who saw this man leaving the bookmakers or knows who he is from his description to get in touch as soon as possible."

The Standard contacted Backhouse Bet but they said the matter was now in police hands and refused to comment further.

Anyone with information about this incident can call Det Insp Rees on 0300 333 3000 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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