Bookmakers' raids posters issued

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Police investigating five armed robberies at betting shops in Cardiff and nearby Penarth in the last month have issued posters about the crimes.

About 100 posters have been distributed appealing for information on the man responsible for threatening staff with a knife and stealing money.

Bookmakers in Llandaff North, Roath, Fairwater, Grangetown in Cardiff and one in Penarth have been targeted.

Up to 50 South Wales Police officers are working on the investigation.

Four bookies were attacked on consecutive nights in the last week, all at about closing time.

A fifth was hit just before Christmas and detectives believe all five raids are linked.

BETTING SHOPS AFFECTED Ladbrokes, Evansfield Road, Llandaff North, on 22 DecemberLadbrokes, St Fagan's Road, Fairwater, on 16 JanuaryCorals, Clare Road, Grangetown on 17 JanuaryLadbrokes, Stanwell Road, Penarth on 18 JanuaryWilliam Hill, Albany Road, Roath, on 19 January

Officers have kept a "high profile" presence near bookmakers in an effort to gain information.

They warned that the robber, a man about 5ft 11 in tall, of medium build and with a Cardiff accent, is dangerous and should not be approached.

The man was wearing a dark hooded coat, which appears to be made of shiny material, and a black mask which police say might have been a scarf or stockings.

Divisional Commander for Cardiff, Ch Supt Josh Jones appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

"There is someone out there who knows who is responsible for these robberies and I would urge them to contact us or even the person himself," he said.

Escalated

"My message is - if you know someone who matches the description of the culprit and they seem to have more money than normal without explanation then please contact us."

A police incident room with 50 officers has been set up at Fairwater, Cardiff.

Ladbrokes spokesman Robin Hutchison said: "It is alarming that what we thought was an isolated incident seems to have escalated.

"This man poses a threat to both staff and customers and the sooner he is taken off the streets the better.

"I would urge anyone who has any information about his identity or whereabouts to contact South Wales Police as soon as possible."

A scheme operated by the Association of British Bookmakers offers a reward of up to £10,000 for information which leads to an arrest and conviction.

Anyone who has information about the raids should contact the incident room on 029 2057 1530 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.