Police have released CCTV stills of a masked robber who forced a lone betting shop worker to hand over cash.

The man, who claimed to be armed, is believed to have stolen a bum bag from Ladbrokes in Stoneleigh to stash the loot in.

Police have confirmed that the victim was working on their own when the shop, in the Broadway, was robbed at 8.50pm on Saturday.

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The robber, wearing a scarf and black hooded jacket, forced the member of staff to open a safe but did not hurt them.

Police are now hunting for the man, who was white, in his late 20s or 30s and had a local accent. He wore light blue jeans and black and white trainers.

Detective Sergeant Antony Preston, said: "Obviously this was a terrifying ordeal for the victim and I would like to reassure the community that we are doing all we can to find the person responsible as quickly as possible and bring them to justice.

"I would urge members of the public not to approach or challenge anyone matching the description of the offender but to contact officers immediately if you can identify him or know his whereabouts."

A Ladbrokes spokesman said as with all crimes of this kind there would be a full security review of the shop.

He said: "As with all incidents affected colleagues are provided with counselling and support and we will be fully cooperating with police to ensure the criminal is apprehended."

Last year North Cheam man Andrew Iacovou was brutally murdered while working on his own in a betting shop at the Morden branch of Ladbrokes.

The murder prompted this newspaper group to launch the Safe Bet campaign which is calling on the betting industry to improve safety for staff by ending the practice of 'single manning' shops.

Anyone with information should call Surrey Police urgently on 101, quoting reference P14031350.

To provide information anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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