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Four raids on bookmakers 'linked' Four raids on bookmakers 'linked'
(about 4 hours later)
Police are hunting a knife-carrying robber after four raids on bookmakers in and around Cardiff on four consecutive nights.Police are hunting a knife-carrying robber after four raids on bookmakers in and around Cardiff on four consecutive nights.
Bookmakers at Fairwater, Grangetown and Cathays in Cardiff and one in nearby Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, have all been targeted since Friday.Bookmakers at Fairwater, Grangetown and Cathays in Cardiff and one in nearby Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, have all been targeted since Friday.
Police said they were keeping a "high profile" at betting shops in the city.Police said they were keeping a "high profile" at betting shops in the city.
They warned that the robber, a stocky man with a Cardiff accent, is dangerous and should not be approached.They warned that the robber, a stocky man with a Cardiff accent, is dangerous and should not be approached.
The latest raid occurred at the William Hill betting shop in Albany Road in Cathays at about 2130 GMT on Monday.The latest raid occurred at the William Hill betting shop in Albany Road in Cathays at about 2130 GMT on Monday.
It follows three previous robberies, all of them near closing time:
  • On Friday in the first robbery, a Ladbrokes bookmakers at St Fagans Road, Fairwater, was targeted at around 2130 GMT.
  • On Saturday evening, Coral's bookmakers was robbed in Clare Road, Grangetown, Cardiff.
  • On Sunday, Ladbrokes in Stanwell Road, Penarth, was hit.
It follows three previous robberies, all of them near closing time:
  • On Friday in the first robbery, a Ladbrokes bookmakers at St Fagans Road, Fairwater, was targeted at around 2130 GMT.
  • On Saturday evening, Coral's bookmakers was robbed in Clare Road, Grangetown, Cardiff.
  • On Sunday, Ladbrokes in Stanwell Road, Penarth, was hit.
Detectives said they believe all the knife-point robberies are linked and have set up a dedicated incident room at Fairwater police station in Cardiff.Detectives said they believe all the knife-point robberies are linked and have set up a dedicated incident room at Fairwater police station in Cardiff.
They have also issued a description of the man the suspect, saying he is white, about 6 ft tall and of stocky build. He was also wearing dark clothes and spoke with a Cardiff accent.They have also issued a description of the man the suspect, saying he is white, about 6 ft tall and of stocky build. He was also wearing dark clothes and spoke with a Cardiff accent.
Officers also believe the four recent raids may be connected to one at the Ladbroke betting shop at Evansfield Road in Llandaff North just before Christmas. This man is dangerous and should not be approached by any members of the public Ch Supt Josh Jones Officers also believe the four recent raids may be connected to one at the Ladbroke betting shop at Evansfield Road in Llandaff North just before Christmas.
All the robberies have happened at around closing time
Divisional Commander for Cardiff, Ch Supt Josh Jones appealed for information.Divisional Commander for Cardiff, Ch Supt Josh Jones appealed for information.
He added: "We would particularly like to hear from anyone who was waiting at the Cardiff-bound bus stop on St Fagans Road, Fairwater, between 2119 GMT and 2145 GMT on Friday January 16.He added: "We would particularly like to hear from anyone who was waiting at the Cardiff-bound bus stop on St Fagans Road, Fairwater, between 2119 GMT and 2145 GMT on Friday January 16.
£10,000 reward£10,000 reward
"This bus stop would have been busy around that time with many people waiting for the bus into Cardiff."This bus stop would have been busy around that time with many people waiting for the bus into Cardiff.
"This man is dangerous and should not be approached by any members of the public," Mr Jones added."This man is dangerous and should not be approached by any members of the public," Mr Jones added.
He said betting shop staff have been given very clear advice about what to do in this situation, such as not being confrontational, reducing the amount of cash at the premises and how to gather information will will help the police make arrests.He said betting shop staff have been given very clear advice about what to do in this situation, such as not being confrontational, reducing the amount of cash at the premises and how to gather information will will help the police make arrests.
A national reward scheme run by the Association of British Bookmakers also offers a reward of up to £10,000 for information which leads to the arrest and conviction.A national reward scheme run by the Association of British Bookmakers also offers a reward of up to £10,000 for information which leads to the arrest and conviction.
According to the association there were 700 raids on bookmakers in 2007.According to the association there were 700 raids on bookmakers in 2007.
Anyone with information about the robberies should contact the police incident room on 029 20571530 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.Anyone with information about the robberies should contact the police incident room on 029 20571530 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.