ROBBERS threatened a worker with a knife before stealing stealinge thousands of pounds from a bookmakers during a terrifying night time raid.
Two men broke into the William Hill betting shop, White Hart Way, Dunmow, on Saturday at 9.30pm.
They broke into the shop through a locked door and then threatened a female member of staff with a knife.
Essex Police says both men wore balaclavas, were dressed in black and made off towards North Hill after the incident.
The victim, aged in her twenties, was shaken but not hurt.
The incident is the second armed robbery to take place in the town in six months, after a masked man with a sawn-off shotgun stole a cash box from a delivery driver in June.
One business owner, who wanted to remain anonymous, said thieves saw the town as an easy target.
He said: “It is becoming more and more apparent everywhere.
“The High Street is empty and there are no police around anymore.
“The police’s hands are tied, with their resources there is nothing they can do about it.
“Dunmow is an easy target, there is nothing around to stop them because there isn’t a police presence, and they think they can do what they like.”
Another business owner, located close by, said the increase in such incidents was worrying.
She said: “They pick on quiet villages like this because it is easier.
“It scares me a bit because you never think things like this would happen where you live, you think it would be the bigger towns.”
A spokesman for William Hill said: “Employee security is a priority at William Hill and each outlet has a robust risk assessment and all staff are fully trained on safe procedures and practices.
“In addition to measures that ensure staff are in regular contact with other shops, we have a number of additional security features to maximise safety, including high quality networked CCTV in every branch, two-way ‘StaffSafe’ communication systems, safe havens, security screens and magnetic locks that enable staff to control doors from behind the counter.”
Police want to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious or who may have seen the men getting in to a vehicle nearby.
Anyone with information can call Braintree CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The Association of British Bookmakers offers up to £10,000 for information given to Crimestoppers that leads to a conviction.
The William Hill shop is located on White Hart Way in Dunmow.
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