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Bingo hall raided by armed men
8:12am Tuesday 21st November 2006
A bingo hall was raided by armed robbers for the second time in three months.
Staff at Gala Bingo in Freshfield Road, Brighton, were held at knifepoint by three robbers who stole thousands of pounds.
Staff and customers were left shaken and one member of staff suffered slight injuries.
The three men, wearing black tights over their heads, entered through the side entrance at about 9.30pm at the end of the evening's games.
The robbers - all described as black, 6ft and of slim build - approached five staff in the refreshment area outside the main hall, where customers had gathered to play fruit machines and chat.
They grabbed members of staff and ordered them to take them to where the cash was kept and fill a bag with money.
The ordeal lasted for about five minutes before the robbers escaped via the side entrance.
Police believe they may have left the scene in a black Mazda, which was seen being driven erratically towards Eastern Road.
Detective Sergeant Steve Warner said other people may have been in the getaway vehicle.
He said: "Customers weren't directly involved but they would have understood what was going on. Staff and customers have been left shaken.
"One man suffered slight injuries - a cut - but not the result of a knife wound. He was pushed."
The raid bears similarities to another robbery at the hall in August when three masked men armed with a shotgun and knives stole about £10,000.
Anyone with any information should contact police on 0845 6070 999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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