OFFICERS are issuing a fresh appeal for information regarding a robbery at a Peterborough betting shop yesterday (Wednesday, February 3).

It took place at 10.20am when the force control room was called to Tote Sport in Broadway after a man threatened staff with what was believed to be a black handgun.

Four customers were in the shop when the offender entered and ran up to the front desk. He pointed the gun into the face of a member of staff and climbed onto the counter and over the four foot high protective screen.

The robber then approached the safe and stole several hundred pounds in cash, before taking the float under the cashier's desk. In total, he's believed to have taken between £500 and £1,000.

The offender then told the staff member to stay down before running out the shop, down Broadway and turning towards Westgate. He is believed to have run through Westgate Arcade.

The offender is Asian, in his late 20s and spoke with a Peterborough accent. He had a skinny build and was six foot. He was unshaven with facial hair and a moustache.

He had dark eyes and wore a khaki green zip-up jacket with a distinctive six inch white horizontal stripe on the front and orange Adidas stripes on the sleeves.

He also wore dark trousers and black and white Adidas trainers. He was wearing a black balaclava.

Detective Sergeant Mark Smith, who is investigating, said: "We are continuing to collect CCTV from around the area today to capture the movements of this offender before and after the robbery.

"The gun has been described as a handgun, possibly quite light weight. The member of staff was extremely brave in her actions and was left shaken, but uninjured.

"We would like to speak to anyone who saw this man during the morning of the robbery."

Anyone with information is asked to contact DS Smith at Thorpe Wood Police Station on 0345 456 456 4 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.