THREE people were held at gun point during an armed robbery in a Mortlake betting shop last Monday.

Two women aged 25 and 27 years old and a man aged 20 were on duty at the Ladbrokes shop in Sheen Lane. When the doors opened at 10.15am a man was waiting to enter. He approached the counter as if to fill in a betting slip, but instead displayed a small hand gun - possibly a German Luger - which he kept close to his chest. He addressed the terrified staff: "Lie on the floor, don’t look at me and no one will get hurt." Whilst they were on the floor, customers tried to enter but the robber instructed them to leave because the shop was closed.

One member of staff was forced to open the safe and then pulled out a bag of change. The suspect said this was not good enough and demanded notes. He stole £4,000 in cash and then ushered the staff into a toilet, saying would be back later for the fruit machines, before making his escape.

The suspect was black, about 40 years old, 6ft 2ins tall with short black hair. He wore a blue jacket and blue bottoms. Anyone with information should contact PC Ray Goodlet on 020 8247 7042.