Spate of bookmaker robberies

Jan 1 2010 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

FOUR Ayrshire bookies have been raided in three months.

And the knife wielding thugs responsible for each of the robberies are still at large.

The most recent incident happened at the Ladbrokes in Ayr’s River Street just three days before Christmas.

At around 6.20pm, a man entered the shop, threatened staff and demanded cash before making off with a four-figure sum.

He is described as white, about six feet tall with a medium build and wearing a black hooded top, denim jeans, dark shoes and a black striped scarf covering his face.

Although uninjured, the staff were badly shaken by the incident.

On October 12, the Ladbrokes at Tam’s Brig was targeted.

The robber escaped with hundreds of pounds through a side door in McCall’s Avenue at around 8.05pm.

Then on December 14, a robber escaped with a four figure sum of money from a bookmaker’s less than a mile away.

The William Hill’s in Ayr’s Main Street was held up at around 6.55pm.

The 30 and 52-year-old men who were working in the store were threatened by a man who demanded cash. He then ran out of the shop and was last seen in Crown Street.

Days later a bookmakers in Auchinleck was robbed.

The Well Road premises was targeted at 5.30pm on Friday, December 18.

This time, two men – who took a quantity of cash – are responsible for the robbery.

Detective Sergeant John Deans of Ayr CID is appealing for any witnesses to the robberies.

Anyone with information on who is responsible for any or all of the robberies should contact Ayr police office on 01292 664115 of Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.