New plea over CCTV raider

Police today renewed an appeal for information about an attempted armed robbery at a Shrewsbury bookmakers.

West Mercia Constabulary has reissued dramatic CCTV images of the moment a hooded gunman tried to hold up the Corbett bookmakers in Castle Foregate.

The photos show the armed robber as he enters the shop, shortly before 6pm on January 8, and points a gun at the cashier.

Fortunately Tanya Trow, a 29-year-old mother-of-two, was uninjured in the raid.

Force spokeswoman Maria Hawkaluk today said a man arrested after the incident was still on police bail as inquiries continue, but she said police were keen to hear from anyone with information about the attempted robbery.

Miss Hawkaluk said: "It's still an ongoing investigation and police are still trying to identify the man in these images.

"We received a number of calls at the time of the incident but we're still keen to receive more information."

The most dramatic picture released by the force shows the would-be robber with his arm extended through the serving hatch which Miss Trow was working behind.

Police say the man was holding a handgun, but it is not yet known if the weapon was a real or an imitation firearm.

Moments later, having seemingly lost his nerve, the man is captured on CCTV about to withdraw his arm before fleeing the premises. The incident is believed to have been over in less than a minute.

Detective Inspector Gavin Kinrade, of Shrewsbury CID, said no-one was injured and the armed man left empty-handed.

He fled the scene and he headed off in the direction of Ditherington.

The man responsible for the raid 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 also had a dark top on beneath this and had a black or dark-coloured scarf around his face.

Anybody who might have seen anyone matching the description of the alleged offender in the area, or who has any information which would help the police, is asked to call Shrewsbury police on 0300 333 3000.

Information can also be passed anonymously via the Crimestoppers number 0800 555111.

By Russell Roberts