'Elephant man' sought after robbery

Police are hunting a knife-wielding robber described as "looking like the elephant man" during a raid on a betting shop.

The offender, who covered his head with a grey T-shirt, escaped with around £350 after threatening staff at Corals Racing in Streetly, West Midlands, on January 26.

Workers locked themselves in an office at the premises in Chester Road after the man entered the shop at about 4.45pm.

Detective Constable Martin Beebee, of Bloxwich CID, said: "This is one of the most unusual masked robbers we have encountered and he can only be described as looking like the elephant man.

"It's surprising he was able to see anything at all through this makeshift mask."

Urging anyone with information about the raider's identity to come forward, the officer added: "This was a disturbing incident for the members of staff, who did the right thing by securing their safety and contacting police.

"There would have been a number of people in and around the area at the time of the robbery and we particularly want to hear from anyone who saw the man entering or leaving the shop."