North Tyneside betting shop robbed hours after Grand National

Apr 12 2010 by Vicky Robson, The Journal

AN armed robber burst into a betting shop just hours after one of the country's biggest racing events.

The man, armed with a knife and a baseball bat, targeted a bookmakers in North Tyneside, after the Grand National had taken place.

The incident happened at around 8.40pm on Saturday, at the William Hill bookies, in Tynemouth Road, Howdon.

The man stole an amount of cash before fleeing the scene.

Staff is the shop were left frightened for their lives and were said to be badly shaken after the incident, although no one was injured. Police are appealing for anyone who may have any information about the robbery to contact them urgently and have warned armed thieves they are risking a long spell behind bars by targeting betting shops. Chief Inspector Bob Ryan, of the Harm Reduction Unit, said: “Northumbria Police is working closely with betting shops across the region, making stores even more secure and ensuring that practices are put in place that make it easier to catch offenders. People are mistaken in thinking there are large quantities of cash lying around in bookmaker’s shops – this is not the case. Bookmakers employ cash minimisation practices which mean there is very little cash in the store at any one time. This means that criminals who consider stealing from these premises and committing such a serious offence are risking long prison sentences for very little gain.”

Two men, aged 20 and 22, were later arrested on suspicion of robbery.

Detective Chief Inspector Max Black, of North Tyneside Area Command, said: “No one was injured during the robbery but it has understandably left the staff shaken.

“I’d urge anyone who was in the area at the time to contact the police.”