POLICE are appealing for information following a masked raid on a bookies.

 

The incident happened yesterday at the East Muiryhall branch of William Hill in Coatbridge around 9.10pm.

On entering the shop, a man wearing a balaclava threatened a member of staff with a weapon before demanding they hand over cash.

He made off with a three figure sum, leaving the staff member uninjured but badly shaken.

The suspect is described as white, around 5 ft 7 inches in height, with a medium build.

He was wearing a dark coloured hooded jacket and dark coloured trousers.

He was also wearing a balaclava to disguise his face and he had a local accent.

Officers will be carrying out door-to-door enquiries and reviewing CCTV in a bid to glean more information about the suspect.

Detective Constable Emma McLaughin said: "There are other stores, such as a takeaway and a local shop nearby and it's possible someone may have seen the man before the incident, perhaps he was loitering outside, maybe you saw him acting a little suspiciously. If you have any information or knowledge of the incident or the suspect, then please do contact us."

Anyone with information is asked to contact officers at Coatbridge on the police non-emergency number, 101.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.