Armed robbers threaten staff at Smethwick betting shop
Armed robbers threatened staff in a Smethwick betting shop before fleeing empty handed.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing two men running from the William Hill shop on Queens Road after threatening staff with a gun.
The staff members were able to retreat to a safe location and the men were forced to flee the premises empty-handed.
West Midlands Police said no customers were in the store at the time and the staff were not injured.
A spokesman for the force said: "Police were alerted at 7.45pm yesterday to an attempted robbery at William Hill in Queens Road, Smethwick.
"It’s understood two men entered the shop and that one may have been holding a firearm. Staff retreated to a rear store room and were unhurt; there were no customers at the time.
"It’s believed the men made off empty handed. Any witnesses are urged to contact West Midlands Police via Live Chat at WMP Online or calling 101 and quoting crime ref 20SW/294500B/19."
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org
