This is the man detectives are trying to trace in connection with a series of armed robberies at betting shops in south London and Surrey including two in Croydon.

He is believed to have struck nine times over the past nine months, using different guises.

Police are linking the cases because of similarities in the way the raids were carried out.

The man struck for the first time at 9am on July 29 last year as a member of staff was opening the Ladbrokes branch in George Street, Croydon.

He produced a handgun and covered his face with a newspaper. He forced the cashier to open the safe and stole the cash inside.

The cashier was then told to wait inside the toilets for 20 minutes.

Just five weeks later Ladbrokes in Purley High Street was robbed. Again the man approached a member of staff as they were opening the door to the shop at 9.30am.

The cashier was pushed inside and the man intimated that he had a gun. The safe was opened and the man emptied the contents into a plastic bag.

He took the cashier to the toilets and told him to wait 20 minutes while he made his escape.

Seven further robberies of Ladbrokes branches in south London and Surrey have occurred since then, the most recent on March 25.

A £5,000 reward is being offered by the Association of British Betting Shops for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the man.

Detective Inspector Andy Dunn, from Barnes flying squad, said: "These armed robberies have caused trauma and distress to all the victims concerned.

"On each offence a gun has been produced or intimated. Somebody must know this suspect and I am appealing for them to contact the police."

The robber is a black man, 6ft to 6ft 2ins and stocky.

Anyone with information should call Barnes flying squad on 020 8247 7931 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.