'I was terrified' says Telford betting shop worker threatened at knifepoint

Mandy Speake, aged 46, was working at Betfred in Madeley, when the two armed men entered the shop.

"I was terrified" said Mrs Speake. "I didn't know what to do. When I worked at the shop in Telford town centre one of our regular customers managed to make off with £300, but he wasn't armed so I haven't been in a situation like that before.

"It was still upsetting when it happened last time. This one was much much worse. The fact they wore masks made it even more terrifying, and I don't think they are regular customers this time.

"I have gone back to work now, but I am still a bit upset and shaky after what happened. I even get nervous talking about it.

"My husband and two sons have been great. My eldest, who is 19, came with me to work last Thursday so I wasn't on my own and then my husband was with me on Friday. They are very protective and they just want to look out for me.

"I would ask that if anyone has any information about the robbery to contact the police so they can be caught. I would hate for anyone to go through the same thing I went through."

The raid happened shortly after 9pm on Monday, February 16, at the Betfred shop in Russell Square.

Mark Pearson, spokesman for Betfred, said: "The security of our staff and customers is paramount and we are helping the police with their inquiries following the robbery. I would encourage anyone who has any information about the incident to contact the police to help them with their investigation."

The two offenders, who were white, were dressed in black and wearing balaclavas.

CCTV images of the men have been released by the police.

DC Andrew Dawson, the investigating officer, said: "We know these aren't the clearest CCTV images, but we hope releasing them jogs somebody's memory who may know these men or saw them in the area at the time."

Anyone who was in the area and witnessed anything suspicious, or has any information which would help to identify the men pictured, is asked to call West Mercia Police on 101 quoting incident 0621S 160215.

Alternatively, the independent charity, Crimestoppers, can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Nationally, betting shop robberies have become a talking point within the industry.

Campaigners have called on betting shops to no longer be single staffed, especially in the evening, due to the large amounts of cash that are often kept on the premises.

The matter was even raised in the House of Commons last year.