STAFF at a bookmakers in Frinton were left shaken after a man armed with a shot gun forced them to hand over cash.

James Hore

STAFF at a bookmakers in Frinton were left shaken after a man armed with a shot gun forced them to hand over cash.

The incident happened in Ladbrokes on Connaught Avenue, Frinton, shortly after 6.30pm last night.

The raider walked in and brandished the shotgun before being handed what police have said was a “three-figure sum of cash.”

He then walked out, leaving the two female staff members, aged 37 and 67 and from Clacton, uninjured but in shock.

Detective Inspector Lee Davies said he believed people in the town could hold the key to solving who was responsible.

He said: “This is a big incident in such a quiet seaside town so the local residents and shopkeepers will be talking about it.

“We would urge them to contact us with any information they may have on this robbery.

“Indeed, anyone who was in the area at the time and who saw a man fitting a description of this attacker will be able to help us arrest him quickly.”

The robber was white, in his late teens or early 20s, about 5ft 8ins tall and was wearing dark tracksuit bottoms with double white lines and a dark hooded top.

Armed officers carried out a search of the area, but could not trace him.

Anyone with information in connection with this robbery is urged to contact detectives at Clacton police station on 0300 333 4444.