There is a manhunt underway after a man leapt over the counter and threatened staff with a meat cleaver at a local bookmakers. 

Dorset Police was called to Ladbrokes in Station Road around 8pm last night after a robber raided the establishment.

The robber, male, five feet ten inches of stocky build was last seen wearing a black hooded top, dark trousers and red gloves. He had blue fabric stretched over his face at the time of the incident.

Detective Constable Nic Taylor, of Bournemouth CID, said: “This must have been a distressing incident for staff at the bookmakers and I would like to reassure members of the public that a full investigation is underway to identify the offender.

“We have been carrying out a number of enquiries, including house-to-house, a forensic examination of the crime scene and reviewing CCTV footage.

“I am appealing to any witnesses or anyone who saw any suspicious activity around the bookmakers yesterday evening to please contact us.

“There will be an increased police presence in the area as we investigate this incident and local officers can be approached with any community concerns.”

This follows a previous incident at the same West Moor branch in 2014 where a lone female staff member had been threatened but unharmed. The robber escaped with cash having held the woman at knifepoint.

Police continue to patrol in the West Moor area while the investigation continues.

DC Taylor urges any witness who may have saw suspicious activity to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55190008387. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.