Appeal for information following armed robbery at Coral Bookmakers, Aigburth Road, Aigburth

Detectives are appealing for information following a robbery at a bookmakers in Aigburth this afternoon (Saturday, 5 January 2019).

Just after 5pm a man wearing a balaclava walked into the bookmakers and threatened the staff with what is believed to have been a handgun. The offender demanded cash and then left the bookmakers on foot; turning right on to Aigburth Road.

The offender is described as white, with brown eyes, skinny build, aged 35-40 years and approximately 5ft 5 inches tall. He was wearing a striped top, black jacket and jeans.
The one member of staff who was confronted by the offender, was uninjured but was left distressed by the ordeal.

Crime Scene Investigators have attended at the scene and officers have carried out house-to-house inquiries in the area. Detectives will also be examining local CCTV footage in a bid to identify the offender.

Detective Inspector Andy McCourt, said: "This was an extremely unpleasant ordeal for these two members of staff and the customer to go through when they were just going about their business. I would like to reassure people that we are doing everything we can to catch this man and that extensive enquiries are being made to establish who he is and where he lives so that he can be arrested.

“Aigburth Road is a very busy route in and out of the city, particularly at the time of day this incident occurred. I would appeal to anyone who may have been passing, on a bus, in a car or on foot, who saw anything, or who has dashcam footage that may have captured the offender, to contact us as soon as possible."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC.

You can also call 101 quoting log 0666 of 5 January 2019, or contact the independent charity @CrimestoppersUK anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.