Betting shop security will be reviewed after a terrified worker was forced to open a safe on Saturday.

A masked robber, who claimed to be armed, made off with cash from Ladbrokes in the Broadway, Stoneleigh at about 8.50pm. 

The robbery has shocked neighbouring business people.

A Ladbrokes spokesman said as with all crimes of this kind there would be a full security review of the shop.

He said: "Thankfully there was no physical confrontation.

"As with all incidents affected colleagues are provided with counselling and support and we will be fully cooperating with police to ensure the criminal is apprehended."

He said all Ladbrokes shops have CCTV, security screens and magnetic locks which can be activated from the counter.

He said: "Staff safety is always a priority and shop colleagues are trained in security matters."

But the Ladbrokes spokesman has so far failed to confirm whether the staff member was working on their own when the robber struck.

David Radford, from B Radford and Son family butchers, said: "It’s shocking because we are a little community in the middle of Epsom and it’s quite quiet.

"The Broadway was graffitied last week as well. That’s a sign there’s trouble in the area. The Co-op has been robbed a few times in the past."

Carly Preece, an employee at Robert Dean estate agents, said: "I’m quite surprised. It’s quite worrying really. It’s an area with a lot of families and you don’t expect it."

Last year North Cheam man Andrew Iacovou was brutally murdered while working on his own in a betting shop at the Morden branch of Ladbrokes.

The murder prompted this newspaper group to launch the Safe Bet campaign which is calling on the betting industry to improve safety for staff by ending the practice of 'single manning' shops.

 

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