Staff at a Dundee book-makers have spoken of their shock after a thief robbed their workplace at knifepoint.
Two female employees were working alone in Ladbrokes in Strathmartine Road when a man walked in and threatened them with a knife.
The man, who is believed to be in his 40s, entered the shop at around 5.40pm on Friday and made off with a three-figure sum of money.
Although no one was hurt in the incident, shop manager Anne Bernard said the staff were left shocked by their terrifying ordeal.
“I wasn’t here when it happened,” she said.
“I was at the fireworks and I got a phone call to say the shop had been robbed at knifepoint.
“There were two members of staff on and they weren’t hurt, they are both doing fine.
“It is always quiet at night time but nothing like this has happened before.”
She added, “He got away with a three-figure sum of money so it could have been much worseat least no one was hurt.
“We have got security procedures in place and we have CCTV in place in the shop and in the door so he would have been seen as he was coming in and while he was here.”
Other local shop owners said they were alarmed to hear about the armed incident.
One shopkeeper, who did not want to be named, said, “They can’t have been local to the Hilltown or someone would have recognised them.
“I wondered what was going on when I saw all the police cars outside but I never thought it would be someone threatening people with a knife.
“They probably thought they would get all the takings at that time of night. It is terrible to think that something like that would happen.”
Detective Inspector Bobby Dow believes the armed raid may have been “opportunistic” rather than planned.
“We don’t suspect that it has been planned to any great degree just due to the timing of it and the way it was carried out.
“At that time at around half five on a Friday night, it would have been a really busy night, specifically on Strathmartine Road.”
The assailant is described as being white and of slim build. He was wearing a black baseball cap and a green fleece.
Police have appealed for anyone with information to call them on 0300 111 2222 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.