The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
ROBBERS STRIKE 5 TIMES
Bookmakers and shop both raided twice In fifth incident bystander badly hurt:
Robbers have targeted Peterborough shops at least five times in the past week, threatening staff with weapons and making off with money.
Two shops have each been targeted on two occasions while another was the subject of attempted robbery yesterday which saw a member of the public assaulted.
One of the places targeted was Ladbrokes at the Werrington Centre in Skaters Way.
More than £1,000 was stolen across two robberies and staff threatened with weapons which police said are not believed to be firearms.
The first incident took place at about 9.30pm on Wednesday, March 28 and the second on Monday at about 5.15pm.
On both occasions a man entered the bookmakers, threatened staff and demanded money.
As well as taking money, a tablet computer was also stolen during the second robbery.
The man in the first incident is described as white, aged 21-40 and 5’11” to 6’. He was wearing a green jacket and a dark coloured beanie.
The man involved in the second incident is described as white, but with a tan, 5’9”, stocky build with stubble and aged approximately 30. He was wearing a black hoodie, jeans and a beanie hat.
Scenes of crime officers have attended to explore forensic opportunities and an investigation is ongoing.
Officers are keen to speak to anyone who has private CCTV that may have captured the suspects or dashcam footage of the area at the time of the offences.
Anyone with information regarding these incidents should contact police, quoting CF0165590318.
The One Stop in the Parnwell Centre was also robbed before 7.45am yesterday morning.
A man with his face covered entered the shop and is believed to have made off with some cash,
Police are also investigating a robbery at the same premises last Friday at about 7.45am. Two men entered the shop and one went behind the till and took a handful or tobacco packs.
When challenged the man pulled out a knife. No one was injured.
Anyone with information should contact police quoting CF0167870318.
Shortly before the robbery at the One Stop yesterday, two masked men assaulted a member of the public at Bal’s General Store, leading to officers cordoning off a stretch of St John’s Street.
Police were called about the incident at 7.25am.
A spokeswoman said two masked men entered the store and demanded money before assaulting a member of the public.
They left empty handed and no further description of the men is available at this time.
The spokeswoman added that officers were keeping an open mind as to whether the four robberies and the attempted robbery were linked.
Anyone with information on the attempted robbery should contact police quoting reference CF0167870318.
Police can be contacted on 101 or at www.cambs.police. uk/report.
Alternatively, people can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.