ROBBERS have raided four bookmakers in two months.
Three bookmakers in Cheltenham and Tewkesbury have been subject to armed attacks since February. And Betfred in Tewkesbury has been the victim of robbery twice in the space of a fortnight.
In the latest incident, members of staff at Betfred in Tewkesbury's High Street were terrified when robbers wearing balaclavas rushed into the shop demanding money from the till. One had a knife, and the pair took off with about £70.
Police officers who were called to the scene searched the area using police dogs, but no one was found. It happened at 8.40pm on Friday, just two weeks after a criminal wielding a kitchen knife stole £3,000.
In the more recent raid, at 8.40pm on Friday, the pair demanded money from the till.
The first incident happened on April 4. A 22-year-old man from Cheltenham was arrested on suspicion of robbery. The cases have not been linked.
Detective Constable Dean Morse, from Gloucestershire Constabulary, said: "This was a very frightening incident for the staff and we would reassure both local residents and business that we have launched a full investigation.
"The two men involved were both described as white and of slim build. One was around 5ft 9 and the other around 6ft 2 tall. Both of them had something covering their faces, possibly a balaclava or a scarf and one of them was carrying a knife."
Earlier this month, bookmakers Paddy Power in Cheltenham were victims of a robbery when criminals managed to steal £600. And in February, staff at Ladbrokes in Montpellier were left shell shocked after a masked robber threatened them with a knife and stole £800.
Shop owners in the High Street in Tewkesbury said they were shocked.
Pam Naraat, from Scrivens Opticians in High Street, said: "I saw about four to five police cars on Friday, but I didn't know what happened. Tewkesbury is not a dangerous place at all. I am shocked something like that has happened."
Borough councillor Mike Sztymiak (Ind, Tewkesbury Town with Mitton) said: "I'm really shocked.
"It's disappointing that the shop has been robbed twice, and hopefully the police will catch the culprits as soon as possible."
A spokesman from Betfred said: "Security of our staff and customers is paramount and we are working with the police on their investigation."
A spokesman for Ladbrokes said the company had a round-the-clock security team, state of the art CCTV systems in place and would reassess the shop which was robbed.
Investigating officers are appealing to the community to report any information they have about the crime by calling 101 and quoting incident number 496 of April 19.