Terrifying moment raiders struck at shop

This is the terrifying moment three masked men demanded cash during a robbery at a Black Country bookmakers.

A police investigation has been launched following the raid at Wilf Gilbert betting shop in Smethwick.

The lone female shopkeeper, who is understood to be in her 20s and from Smethwick, handed over more than £200 during the robbery at the shop in The Uplands.

Betting shop manager Mark Gibson, aged 42, who was called into the shop following the raid at noon on Wednesday said: "The girl who was working was quite shaken up by it all.

"I had a call from police just after it happened to come in. We had to close the shop for an hour while the police asked questions. I have been manager here for two-and-a-half years and we have never had an incident like this before."

Mr Gibson, who lives in Smethwick, added: "It is a big shock for everyone. The girl is going to be off for at least a few days."

Three men were involved in the robbery. They walked into the shop with their faces covered and demanded money from the woman working behind the counter.

They claimed to have a gun, although no firearm was seen.

The worker handed over cash from the tills when the men tried to force entry to the staff area and they then fled with the money.

Dc Julian Moss, of West Midlands Police, said: "The three men were seen to run from the scene in the direction of the Old Chapel Pub.

"After that point it's not clear if they continued on foot or got into a waiting car.

"We are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area and may have seen these men running away."

Wilf Gilbert is an independent chain of betting shops with about 40 outlets across the country. Its head office is in Solihull.

Anyone with information should call Sandwell and Dudley CID on 0345 113 5000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.