Armed robbers hit shopping centre bookies in Nuneaton

[dutchman]

Bookie's staff and a pair of punters were forced to lie on the floor when armed robbers raided a Nuneaton shop.

Detectives have revealed that three men, with scarves covering their faces, burst into the BetFred bookmakers in the Horeston Grange Shopping Centre at shortly after 8.30pm Monday night.

They demanded that staff hand over money from the tills before ordering them, together with two customers who were in the shop, to lie on the floor. They also stole money from one of the customers before leaving the premises

The trio are understood to have made off on foot heading in the direction of Horeston Grange.

Nuneaton CID officers now want to trace the men, two of which have been described as white and one is possibly of Asian appearance.

Both white men are believed to be aged 25 to 30-years-old, one was of a slim build and the other of medium build. The third man who is possibly Asian is described as being chubby and had a full dark beard.

The investigation team are also liaising with officers investigating robberies and attempted robberies at bookmakers in Rugby, Burbage and London in February, but are keeping an open mind on whether the incidents are linked.

Six people were arrested in connection with the robberies at bookmakers last month. They have all been released on police bail pending further investigations.

Anyone who witnessed the robbery on Monday night or who saw anything suspicious or out of the ordinary in the area between 8.15pm and 8.40pm should contact Detective Sergeant Neil Reader at Nuneaton CID by dialling 101.

Information can also be given anonymously by calling the Crimestoppers hotline, which is free from a labdline, on 0800 555111