Machete Wielding Robbers Strike Ladbrokes: String of Bookie Robberies Have UK on Edge

When it comes to gambling, betting over the Web may be the safest option....at least if you are working for a bookie.  Two masked men wielding machetes threatened staff at a bookies as they demanded cash.

The pair burst into Done Bookmakers in Lane Head, Ryton, Gateshead, in the United Kingdom last night.

The hooded raiders terrified staff and customers who were in the premises.

They left with an undisclosed amount of money and now police are appealing for anyone with information to get in touch.

Acting Sgt Peter Ramsey said: “A robbery happened at 6.20pm last night at Done Bookmakers in Lane Head.

“Two female members of staff and three customers were in the shop at the time of the raid. The men were wearing black balaclavas and had machetes.

“They demanded money and left.

“It would have been very frightening for the staff and the customers but no-one was injured.

“We do not yet know how much they escaped with."

Last night’s raid comes after a spate of robberies on bookmakers across the region over the past six months.

A knifeman wearing a skeleton mask held up Ladbrokes bookmakers’ shop on Saltwell Road, Bensham, Gateshead, on Saturday, December 22, and escaped with cash.

Clearly this is a case of serial robbers who must be apprehended immediately before someone gets seriously hurt or murdered. 

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Gambling911.com News Wire

Originally published January 7, 2008 9:17 am EST