CCTV clue to bookies gun raider

MOMENT of terror . . . CCTV footage of the masked raider police are hunting

THIS is the terrifying moment when a masked gunman threatened staff at a Chadderton bookies.

The armed raider stormed into Coral bookmakers in the precinct on Middleton Road after staff buzzed in a pair of customers through the security door.

The cloaked assailant then revealed a handgun from a clear plastic bag and demanded money as he threatened frightened cashiers.

Fearing for their safety, the workers handed over cash, with the robber stashing it in a rucksack before fleeing the shop.

CCTV footage of the incident has now been released after the drama unfolded just before 9pm on February 8.

Police are now trying to trace the man, described as being about 5ft 8in tall, and wearing a black balaclava, black jacket, black tracksuit bottoms and a blue rucksack. Detective Constable Mike Patterson, who works for Oldham CID, said: “It is completely unacceptable that anyone should be intimidated in this way at their place of work.

“I want to assure members of our community and local businesses that we are doing everything we can to identify this offender.

“We are conducting house-to-house inquiries and doing a lot of work in the area but I also want to appeal to anyone who witnessed what happened that night to call us.”

The gun was not fired during the attack and no-one was injured.

Police are now urging anyone with information to contact Oldham CID on 0161-856 8953 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555 111.