A robber threatened betting shop staff at gun point before making off with cash.

The incident at the Coral betting shop in Rochester, is the latest in a string of betting shop raids in recent months.

The man walked into the shop in Delce Road between 3.24pm and 3.28pm and threatened two members of staff, telling them to hand over all the money in the tills.

They gave him a “small amount of cash” before he walked out of the shop and disappeared down an alleyway.

Police say the man was holding what appeared to be a handgun.

DS Henshaw said: “We would like to hear from anyone who may have seen this man acting suspiciously, either before or after the incident.

“We are especially keen to hear from a man with a Pit Bull Terrier who was outside the betting shop at the time and may have seen the robbery take place.”

Police say the man is dark-skinned and was wearing white trainers, white tracksuit bottoms, a black shiny jacket with a hood, a black scarf covering his face, a black beanie hat with a peak and red gloves.

No-one from Coral was available for comment but it is not thought anyone was injured in the robbery, which took place on Thursday, May 13.

The same shop was victim to an attempted robbery in 2007 when a female manager was grabbed as she closed up the shop. She screamed and the man ran off. Nothing was stolen.

It is the latest in a string of thefts at betting shops across the Medway Towns.

Robberies took place at Coral in Friary Precinct, Strood, on November 29 and January 13; Coral in Gun Lane, Strood on November 30; Choice Bet in High Street, Snodland on December 2; Ladbrokes in Holborough Road, Snodland, on January 15; William Hill in High Street, Strood, on January 18; Nationwide Building Society, Strood, on March 25 and Lloyds TSB Bank in Perry Street, Northfleet, on April 9.

On Monday, April 12, a raid took place at Metrobet bookmakers in Rochester High Street at about 6.25pm. An unknown sum was handed over to two men befor they ran out into the street. No-one was injured but workers were left shaken.

On Wednesday, April 21, a hooded robber made off with cash from the William Hill bookmakers in Barnsole Road, Gillingham.

The man threatened staff and made off with an undisclosed amount of money.

The robber ran towards the Livingstone Arms pub.

• Anyone with information on the latest robbery should call Medway Police on 01634 792474.
• Police are still appealing for information into the crimes listed above. Call 01622 690690 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.