Worker hailed as hero after Morecambe betting shop attack

The man, 35, was punched and stamped on by two attackers after he refused to open the safe at the Betfred shop in Westgate, Morecambe.

Police are hunting for the culprits who fled the shop empty-handed.

A friend of the staff member has hailed him as a ‘hero’.

The attack happened as the Westgate Precinct shop was closing just before 10pm on Saturday.

The men walked into the shop and pushed the worker into the toilet cubicle, then demanded to know where the safe was.

The staff member refused to tell them and tried to raise the alarm.

One of the men hit him on the arm and the other stamped on his ribs.

“They repeatedly kicked and punched him to get him to open the safe,” said the man’s friend.

“He wouldn’t open the safe and he fought back as much as he could.

“He’s a hero in my eyes.”

Police said the men then “panicked” and left without taking anything.

A third man waiting outside is believed to have been with the other two men.

Police have released descriptions of the two main offenders.

The first man was white, of stocky build, wearing all black clothing with a hood up and a scarf covering his face.

The second man was of medium build, wearing all dark clothing with his face covered.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or the freephone confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111 quoting reference number WB1508252.

A spokesman for Betfred said: “The safety of our staff and customers is paramount and we are working with the police to catch these individuals. We would like to thank our staff for their prompt action.”