Armed raid terror at bookies

Terrified customers in a Black Country bookies were held at gunpoint during a raid by a masked robber. The gunman burst into the Smethwick branch of bookmakers Wilf Gilbert before threatening punters and demanding cash.

The violent robbery was the second of its kind in Sandwell in a matter of days.

The attack has left staff in shock and now the Black Country firm, which has been in Smethwick since 1890, is offering a £1,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the raider.

Graham Gilbert, who owns the bookmaking chain, said the robber wielded a sawn-off shotgun at two customers in The Uplands branch.

"It was an armed robbery, he held a couple of customers at gunpoint," he said. "The bloke came in the shop with a double-barrelled shotgun and ordered staff to hand the money over. We think it was a sawn-off shotgun."

Mr Gilbert said a quantity of cash was taken but did not wish to reveal how much.

He said one of the chain's 30 shops had been raided several years ago but since then the company had installed security cameras to prevent further attacks.

The raid, last Saturday, was the second in Sandwell within just four days. An armed raider struck at the Ladbrokes shop in Wood Lane, West Bromwich, on October 9. Police are linking the incidents.