Betshop raid: two arrested

POLICE arrested two men following a robbery at a betting shop in Coldhurst.

A member of staff was getting ready to open Ladbrokes, in Featherstall Road North, at 10am yesterday when he heard a loud bang and found the door had been kicked open.

Three men forced their way in, one armed with a plastic gun and a second man with a hammer. The third man was also carrying a weapon.

They were all wearing balaclavas or scarves around their faces.

The offenders took a small safe and the till and escaped on foot into a near -by housing estate.

Two men fitting descriptions given by the staff were arrested on suspicion of robbery within minutes of police receiving the call.

They remain in custody for questioning.

Det Sgt Liz Hopkinson said: “We responded quickly and managed to make the swift arrests.

“We hope this reassures the community that we will act quickly and also hope it acts as a deterrent to criminals targeting businesses in this frightening way.”