A BETTING shop worker was threatened at gunpoint by a robber who forced him to hand over cash from the safe at an Oxford bookmakers.

The 47-year-old man was targeted as he shut up the Stan James shop in Roundway, Risinghurst, just after 9pm on Tuesday, police said yesterday.

The masked robber, who is described as black and about 6ft tall, ordered him back inside and forced him to take money from the safe.

Police refused to say how much cash was snatched in the raid.

Det Sgt Kevin Parsons said: “This was obviously a frightening experience for the victim who was just locking up the shop when he was threatened by the offender.

“Officers attended the scene quickly and carried out a thorough search of the surrounding area but unfortunately the offender could not be located.

“I’m keen to speak to anyone who was in the area last night and either witnessed a man acting suspiciously in the area immediately before the incident or who saw a man leaving the area quickly afterwards.”

Anyone with any information should call Oxford CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.