Gunmen raid busy bookies
Gunmen held up a busy Black Country bookies, forcing terrified staff to hand over hundreds of pounds in takings.
Two balaclava-clad thieves burst into the Off Course betting shop in New Street, Wordsley, threatening workers with a gun and ordering them to get down on the floor before demanding cash.
Staff stuffed a quantity of money into a bag before the thieves made their escape through the yard at nearby Holy Trinity Church towards Watery Lane, where a getaway car may have been waiting.
Police and the force helicopter were scrambled to the scene following the attack at 6pm yesterday.
Manager Dave Newton described the ordeal as very traumatic.
"We were just waiting for the last dog race to finish before closing for the day when two men burst in, one carrying a hand gun," he said.
"They told us to get on the floor and started waving the gun about. I remained standing but the girls were terrified. The thieves asked for the money from the safe.
"I helped to hand the money over. It was traumatic. At first I thought the gun was a toy but the more I looked at it the more convinced I was it was real."
Mr Newton said he believed the shop had been targeted because of the Cheltenham Festival taking place this week, with thieves believing more money would be behind the desk.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0845 113 5000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
