Police are searching for two men who robbed a bookmakers with what is believed to be a gun last night.
The incident took place at around 9pm at Ladbrokes in St Dominics Square, Luton, when the two offenders entered the shop with their faces covered and threatened staff with what appeared to be a handgun.
One of the offenders passed a rucksack to staff and demanded that they filled it with cash while the second offender threatened a customer with another weapon which was either a hammer or a crowbar.
A large amount of money was put into the bag and handed back to the offenders who then fled the shop heading towards Thatch Road.
The first offender was a black man, in his early 20s, 5ft 8ins tall, wearing a thick black bomber jacket, black woolly hat, a dark scarf across his face, dark blue jeans and gloves.
The second offender was also a black man, in his early 20s, 5ft 7ins tall, wearing a blue jacket with a dark hooded top underneath, a dark coloured balaclava covering his face, dark blue woolly hat, light blue stone washed jeans and dark shoes.
Detective Constable Lucy Arnold, who is investigating the incident, is keen to speak with anyone who was in the area at the time of the robbery and may have seen the offenders either before or after the attack.
DC Arnold said: “This was a terrifying incident for the staff and customers who were in the shop at the time of the robbery and all genuinely believed that they were going to be harmed.
“Lewsey Park was quite busy at the time of the incident and I would encourage anyone who may have witnessed the robbery taking place or may have information about the offenders to contact Bedfordshire Police immediately. Even the smallest piece of information could help us with our enquiries.”
If you have information relating to this incident, contact DC Arnold, in confidence, on 01582 394285, the non-emergency number 101, or text information to 07786 200011.
Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.