Armed police swoop at bookies after report of man claiming to be armed and demanding cash

POLICE rushed to the scene of a Nottingham bookmakers following reports of a man demanding money and claiming to be in possession of a gun.

A panic button was pressed by staff in the Alfreton Road, Radford, business at around 12.55pm yesterday after a man reportedly entered the store with a note demanding money.

Police say it is alleged the man spoke with a cashier before producing a note demanding money be handed over before stating that he was in possession of a gun.

Employees refused to give in to the demands and the man left. He is believed to have returned later where he was arrested by armed officers.

A 23-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted robbery.

Chief Inspector Paul Hennessy, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We were made aware of an incident in Alfreton Road at around 12.56pm and thanks to the swift action by our armed officers we arrested a man within only minutes of receiving the call.

“Thankfully no-one was reported to have been injured.

“Although no money was handed over, incidents like this are taken extremely seriously particularly when firearms are mentioned.

“Officers will work extremely hard to establish exactly what happened to safeguard the public.

“There is still a large police presence in the area as our enquires continue but we would like to reassure everyone that we have made an arrest and do not believe there to be a wider risk to the public.

“Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has any CCTV is urged to contact the police on 101, quoting incident number 246 of 2 January 2022.”

A man remains in police custody as enquires continue.