WALTHAMSTOW: Bookies robbed twice in three weeks (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WALTHAMSTOW: Bookies robbed twice in three weeks

4:04pm Thursday 19th June 2008 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

AN ARMED robber made off with £400 after the second raid on a betting shop in three weeks.

A 24-year-old employee at the Tote betting shop, in Grove Road, Walthamstow, was shutting up shop on June 14 when a man entered the store.

He walked to the counter, pulled out a handgun and demanding money.

The worker handed over £400.

The gunman escaped on foot along Pembroke Road.

Police describe him as of either Asian or Mediterranean appearance, chubby and 5ft 6ins tall.

He was wearing a grey coloured hoodie pulled tight around his face, leaving only his eyes visible.

His sleeves covered his hands and he was also wearing low-slung jeans This was the second armed robbery in the shop in three weeks.

The shop is part of a larger betting empire and employees refused to comment.

Staff have handed over CCTV footage from the robbery but detectives still appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Roger Carter, who runs the nearbly Castle pub, said it was just this kind of persistent crime that dragged down the area and made people afraid.

He and other residents have set up a group and are determined to fight crime by being vigilant, reporting more crime to the police and looking out for each other.

They are holding a public meeting at the pub in Eden Road on July 8, from 7.30pm.

Mr Carter said he would lay on free food and soft drinks but would not sell alcohol during the meeting.

"I want everyone to feel welcome," he said, "it's not about getting people in my pub, it's about getting the community together."

Contact Mr Carter on 07976 287 922 or jimbomck@hotmail.co.uk for more information.

Did you see the robbery or the gunman escaping? Contact the Flying Squad on 8345 4233 or 4232 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.