By Pamela McGowan and Sarah Robinson

Last updated at 11:31, Friday, 17 August 2012

A man has been arrested on suspicion of robbery following armed raids on two bookies.

William Hill, Whitehaven

Police today refused to confirm exactly where the robberies took place, other than that they were in the Whitehaven area.

However, the News & Star has established that one was the Coral betting shop in King Street. The other was William Hill in Lowther Street.

The raids – which saw staff allegedly threatened with a weapon – happened at 6.45pm and 9.20pm last night.

Undisclosed sums of money were taken from both bookmakers following threats. A man was subsequently arrested at about 11.20pm.

The 25-year-old from Whitehaven this morning remained in police custody, where he was being interviewed.

The staff at the Coral bookmakers were praised for staying calm.

Two staff had been working last night when a man walked into the shop, allegedly armed with a screwdriver, demanding all of the money out of the till.

One of the staff said she tried to reason with the man. No-one was hurt in this incident. Staff called area manager David Main, who has praised his staff for being calm during the incident.

Police were called and were helped by local taxi drivers to hunt for the raider.

First published at 11:29, Friday, 17 August 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk