Police in West Lothian are appealing for witnesses to a betting shop robbery in Livingston last night.
The incident took place at Ladbrokes in Carmondean, about 9.20pm, when a four-figure sum of money was stolen.
A member of staff and two customers were in the shop when a man entered and threatened the employee with a weapon while demanding money.
He then ran from the shop in an unknown direction.
The suspect is described as white, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, medium build and wearing gloves, black trainers and baggy light grey jogging bottoms.
He was also wearing a light blue ‘puffa style’ hooded jacket, which had distinctive diamond pattern stitching, with the hood worn up.
Inquiries are being carried out in the area and officers are working to source any available CCTV footage from nearby premises.
Detective Constable Debbie Trotter, who is leading the investigation, said: “We are keen to speak to anyone who may have been in the area at the time, or saw the suspect.
“Thankfully, nobody was hurt during the robbery, however the member of staff has been badly shaken by the incident, as this was a frightening experience for them.
“There are a number of routes the thief could have taken after leaving the betting shop , and so I am appealing to members of the public for any information they may have as to who might have been responsible.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
