Bookies hit in 'gun' raid

A terrified shop assistant had what is thought to have been a gun pointed at her face during an attempted robbery at a Shropshire bookmakers.

The Corbett betting shop in Castle Foregate, Shrewsbury, was targeted shortly before 6pm last night.

And police are also investigating a raid at a home in the south of the county in which jewellery and silverware worth more than £80,000, including precious family heirlooms, were stolen. Burglars took a safe containing most of the valuables from a property in Onibury some time between 11am on Sunday and 2.30pm on Monday.

Detectives today said a man entered the Shrewsbury bookmakers and threatened the member of staff with what is believed to have been a handgun. An extensive search of the area was carried out and two men were arrested at about 9pm. One was today released without charge.Detective Inspector Gavin Kinrade, of Shrewsbury CID, said: "The alleged offender is described as white, in his 20s and about 5ft 10ins tall. He was wearing dark shoes or trainers, light-coloured jeans and a grey hooded top. He may have had a dark top on beneath this.

"The man is reported to have entered the shop and threatened the female member of staff shortly before 6pm yesterday. He is alleged to have pointed what appeared to be a handgun over the counter but made off towards Ditherington a few seconds later, empty- handed. The staff member was left shaken but not physically injured."

Police investigating the raid in Onibury have issued an appeal and the owners are offering a "substantial" reward for information leading to the arrest of the burglars and the recovery of the stolen items.

Investigating officer Constable Will Quan of Ludlow CID, said raiders forced a window to get access to the house.

"A locked safe was stolen and may have been dumped by the thieves. It's fairly large, standing about two feet high, 18 inches in width and about 12 inches deep, cream in colour and the maker's name is Hadleigh," he said.

Anyone with information about either incident should call police on 0300 333 3000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

By Rhea Parsons and Sophie Bignall