A MAN stole cheques and cash from a bookmakers in North Weald.

The man went into the High Road betting shop at 1pm last Thursday posing as a customer and then left but returned a few minutes later with a second man who stood guard while the other man stole a box containing £700 and several cheques. The pair ran off towards Church Lane.

The first man was white, aged about 20, slim and 5ft 9ins tall. He had brown hair and was wearing a light grey cap with a black and grey checked pattern, a black round-neck T-shirt and blue jeans. The other man was white, about 5ft 7ins tall, thick-set and wearing dark clothes.

Anyone with any information should ring crime reduction officer Tony Ellis on 01279 625525.