The hunt is on to find an armed robber who targeted two betting shops in Wembley less than a mile apart yesterday.

Detectives believe the same man is responsible for the robberies in Blackbird Hill at 3.30pmm and a second in Grand Parade, Forty Lane, at 5.28pm.

In both cases a man brandishing a knife threatened staff and demanded money.

He fled from the first shop empty-handed but escaped with a quantity of cash at the second.

The suspect is white, around 40-45 years of age, between 5ft 5ins and 5ft 8ins tall and has a stocky build.

He was wearing a dark, hooded, combat style jacket, light, grey jogging bottoms and white trainers.

Anyone with information is asked to call DC Stephen O’Connell on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.