Detectives have released CCTV pictures of a man they want to trace in connection with a series of armed robberies – including one at a bookies in Gipsy Lane, Leicester, this week.
The four-county investigation is linking eight robberies at betting shops in Northamptonshire, Hertfordshire, West Sussex and Leicester during the past month.
The Leicester robbery took place on Wednesday at Ladbrokes, in Gipsy Lane, when man entered the shop at about 1.40pm with what is believed to have been a gun.
He handed the cashier a carrier bag and demanded money.
In each of the crimes the offender is black, between 5ft 5in and 6ft and wore a dark hoodie.
Detective Inspector Mark Pattison said: "We have released images of a man who we are keen to locate in relation to this series of armed robberies.
"We would urge him to make contact with us and for anyone with any information to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101 and quote Operation Needle.
"Thankfully, no-one was hurt in any of these incidents. However, they have been extremely traumatic for the cashiers and the businesses have lost money.''
