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| Armed robbery wave 'unacceptable' | Armed robbery wave 'unacceptable' |
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| Police have described 16 armed robberies in the Strathclyde area in the past eight weeks as "completely unacceptable to us as a force". | Police have described 16 armed robberies in the Strathclyde area in the past eight weeks as "completely unacceptable to us as a force". |
| Since the start of July, nine betting shops in the force area have been targeted and raids have been carried out on five banks. | Since the start of July, nine betting shops in the force area have been targeted and raids have been carried out on five banks. |
| Armed robbers have also struck at a frozen food shop and a sports complex. | Armed robbers have also struck at a frozen food shop and a sports complex. |
| Officers have not yet connected the raids on bookmakers but two of the bank robberies have been linked. | Officers have not yet connected the raids on bookmakers but two of the bank robberies have been linked. |
| See locations of the Glasgow robberies | See locations of the Glasgow robberies |
| Det Insp Gerry McBride, from Strathclyde Police, said: "We are aware of the public concerns regarding the recent spate of armed robberies in and around Glasgow, and indeed the potential dangers faced by those who work in the businesses affected. | Det Insp Gerry McBride, from Strathclyde Police, said: "We are aware of the public concerns regarding the recent spate of armed robberies in and around Glasgow, and indeed the potential dangers faced by those who work in the businesses affected. |
| "Whilst no-one has suffered any serious injury, the trauma and upset caused to staff involved is something that no-one should have to encounter at work and is completely unacceptable to us as a police force. | "Whilst no-one has suffered any serious injury, the trauma and upset caused to staff involved is something that no-one should have to encounter at work and is completely unacceptable to us as a police force. |
| "Unfortunately these robberies have become more common of late, and we recognise this is something that could cause alarm." | "Unfortunately these robberies have become more common of late, and we recognise this is something that could cause alarm." |
| He said officers were working "tirelessly" to prevent further attacks. | He said officers were working "tirelessly" to prevent further attacks. |
| "We are also liaising with security personnel from the betting industry and a full investigation is ongoing into every robbery which has taken place," he said. | "We are also liaising with security personnel from the betting industry and a full investigation is ongoing into every robbery which has taken place," he said. |
| "Whilst we don't believe all the robberies are linked at this time, we are looking at them collectively to ensure all information is available to assist the investigation." | "Whilst we don't believe all the robberies are linked at this time, we are looking at them collectively to ensure all information is available to assist the investigation." |
| In the latest incident, three men wearing balaclavas escaped with a five-figure sum from the Bank of Scotland in Alexandria, Dunbartonshire, on Monday night. | |
| A man also held up a Ladbrokes in Glasgow's Trongate area on Monday but escaped empty-handed. | A man also held up a Ladbrokes in Glasgow's Trongate area on Monday but escaped empty-handed. |
| Strathclyde Police said inquiries were ongoing to establish if this armed robbery was linked to other betting shop raids over the last two months. | Strathclyde Police said inquiries were ongoing to establish if this armed robbery was linked to other betting shop raids over the last two months. |
| Three of the robberies were committed last week in the south side of Glasgow: two in William Hill shops in Govanhill and one at a Bank of Scotland in Shawlands. | Three of the robberies were committed last week in the south side of Glasgow: two in William Hill shops in Govanhill and one at a Bank of Scotland in Shawlands. |
| Two bank robbers made off with a six-figure sum, after attacking security officers outside the branch on Kilmarnock Road last Tuesday. | Two bank robbers made off with a six-figure sum, after attacking security officers outside the branch on Kilmarnock Road last Tuesday. |
| 'Clear advice' | 'Clear advice' |
| Police believe the robbery is linked to another armed raid on a Bank of Scotland in nearby Pollokshields at the beginning of August, where more than £100,000 was taken. | Police believe the robbery is linked to another armed raid on a Bank of Scotland in nearby Pollokshields at the beginning of August, where more than £100,000 was taken. |
| A £10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of the suspects. | A £10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of the suspects. |
| In the two other bank robberies, a four figure sum was taken during a raid on a branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland on Glasgow Road in Paisley on 19 July. | In the two other bank robberies, a four figure sum was taken during a raid on a branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland on Glasgow Road in Paisley on 19 July. |
| Thieves also made off with an empty cash box after targeting the Bank of Scotland in Baillieston, less than two weeks later. | Thieves also made off with an empty cash box after targeting the Bank of Scotland in Baillieston, less than two weeks later. |
| The Xscape sports and entertainment centre at Braehead was also hit, in what police described as a "well-planned robbery", in mid-August. | The Xscape sports and entertainment centre at Braehead was also hit, in what police described as a "well-planned robbery", in mid-August. |
| Police want to speak to the man in connection with two armed robberies | Police want to speak to the man in connection with two armed robberies |
| The armed attacks on bookmakers - seven in Glasgow and one in Airdrie - have been described by the trade body as "an occupational hazard". | The armed attacks on bookmakers - seven in Glasgow and one in Airdrie - have been described by the trade body as "an occupational hazard". |
| Police have released CCTV images of a man police want to trace in connection with two raids in Glasgow, one in a branch of Farmfoods and a William Hill betting shop. | Police have released CCTV images of a man police want to trace in connection with two raids in Glasgow, one in a branch of Farmfoods and a William Hill betting shop. |
| Five of the nine bookmakers targeted were William Hill premises but the firm would not comment on the incidents. | Five of the nine bookmakers targeted were William Hill premises but the firm would not comment on the incidents. |
| Andrew Lyman, a senior executive with the Association of British Bookmakers, said staff were offered counselling if they had been caught up in armed robberies. | Andrew Lyman, a senior executive with the Association of British Bookmakers, said staff were offered counselling if they had been caught up in armed robberies. |
| "It's an occupational hazard," he said. | "It's an occupational hazard," he said. |
| "Any business that is perceived to hold large amounts of cash is under real risk from opportunist and professional robbers. | "Any business that is perceived to hold large amounts of cash is under real risk from opportunist and professional robbers. |
| "Staff are given very clear advice about what to do in that situation, such as not being confrontational and recollection tips. | "Staff are given very clear advice about what to do in that situation, such as not being confrontational and recollection tips. |
| "We also look to minimise the amounts of cash held in shops so robbers have to weigh up the level of risk with the rewards." | "We also look to minimise the amounts of cash held in shops so robbers have to weigh up the level of risk with the rewards." |