Police probe armed robbery at bookies

Police are hunting an armed robber who escaped with a three-figure sum from a betting shop on New Year’s Day.

The incident at Coral Bookmakers, in Great Junction Street in Leith, left a member of staff “very shaken”.

Police said the robber ordered the member of staff to put money into a bag before fleeing the scene at around 4pm yesterday. It is thought the suspect may have been holding a weapon under his jacket.

The robber is a white man, around 30 years old, about 6ft and of medium build. He had dark hair, dark stubble and was wearing large silver-rimmed sunglasses and a blue, hooded anorak with grey or brown patches on each shoulder. He spoke with a local accent and was carrying a black reusable shopping bag with a white printed design on each side.

A police spokesman said: “This was a frightening experience for the member of staff.”

He added: “The area was cordoned off for a short time while searches were carried out.”