POLICE are this lunchtime hunting two masked robbers wielding a machete and a hammer who took cash from a betting shop.

The pair raided Ladbroke's in Front Street, Swalwell, Gateshead, at 7.50pm on Tuesday evening (oct26) when they threatened staff and demanded money from the till.

They escaped on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash, leaving staff and two customers shaken but unhurt.

.Detective Chief Inspector Mark Warcup, of the Gateshead Area Command said: " I'm appealing for help from the public to find the people responsible for this robbery.

"Thankfully, no-one was injured during the incident, although staff and members of the public were left shaken.

"Such crimes, where weapons are used to commit robberies, are uncommon in Gateshead. We would urge members of the public to come forward with any information they may have."

Chief Inspector Bob Ryan, of Northumbria Police's Harm Reduction Unit , said: "Northumbria Police is working closely with betting shops across the region, making stores even more secure and ensuring that practices are put in place that make it easier to catch offenders.

"People are mistaken in thinking there are large quantities of cash lying around in bookmaker's shops; this is not the case.

"Bookmakers employ cash minimisation practices which mean there is very little cash in the store at any one time.

"This means that criminals who consider stealing from these premises and committing such a serious offence are risking long prison sentences for very little gain."

Both robbers had dark clothing with their hoods up and their faces covered.

The first man wore a black or dark grey coat with a yellow trim around the collar and wearing a dark hoody underneath.

The second man had a black hooded coat with a shiny finish. On the back of the coat's neck, below the hood, it had a white vertical stripe approximately two-and-a-half inches long.

Any witnesses or anyone with information should call police on 03456 043 043, extension 69191, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.