WALTHAMSTOW: Woman recounts masked raid horror (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WALTHAMSTOW: Woman recounts masked raid horror

6:12pm Monday 1st December 2008 in

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A WOMAN has recounted the moment she was confronted by masked robbers during a raid on a bookmakers.

The two men targeted Oddsit Bookmaker’s, in Orford Road, Walthamstow, on Friday at about 6pm and made off with nearly £300, including more than £170 in coins.

The woman was gripped with fear as one of the thugs, who suggested he had a gun, tried to force his way behind the counter while the other kept watch at the door.

Manager Michelle Smith, 26, of Stoke Newington was in the shop alone when the raid took place and initially refused to let the man behind the counter.

She said: “I was just reading a newspaper - the doors opened but I didn’t really look.

“Then one of the men came barging in, banging on the door, saying, ‘let me in’.

“I refused but he went to the counter and he said, ‘give me the money’.

“I was so terrified, I was shaking - I just hope they don’t think they can come back.”

He then demanded all the cash from the counter, including notes, as well as the contents of the safe.

“I tried to say the coins were all the money I had but he pointed to the safe and he could see the notes,” Ms Smith said.

“There was a guy in the shop who saw them walk out - he followed them up by the church and got a better look at them.”

The men are described as being black, aged between 18 and 20, about 6ft tall, with baseball caps, sunglasses and scarves to disguise their faces. They were also wearing gloves.

The man who tried to force his way behind the counter was described as being slim, wearing a black Nike jacket and grey tracksuit bottoms, while the other is described as being of heavier build.

Anyone with information should contact the incident room on 8345 4226, or to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.