AN armed robber who brazenly targeted a Bournemouth bookies at the weekend fled the scene by getting into a taxi.

No-one was physically injured in the raid, which was carried out at knifepoint at Betfred, Commercial Road, on Saturday morning - but detectives say the female cashier was left distressed and shaken.

The robber, a man in his late 20s or early 30s, escaped with £2,240 from the bookmakers.

Detective Constable Aimee Lloyd, of Bournemouth CID, said: "This was understandably a very distressing incident for the victim and we have launched a full investigation to identify the man responsible."

Police say the man entered the betting shop at 11.05am with a large kitchen knife.

After threatening the female cashier he ordered her to place the money into a black holdall.

Then, he fled on foot along The Triangle - which would have been busy at that time of day - and into Avenue Road.

It was on Avenue Road where he jumped into a taxi.

There is no suggestion the taxi driver knew anything about the robbery.

Staff at the betting shop declined to comment when approached by the Echo.

Det Con Lloyd said: "I am appealing for anyone with information about this incident or anyone who saw a man matching the description given in the area of Commercial Road around the relevant time to please contact us."

The man is described as black, slim build, short, with a shaven head.

He was wearing a black jacket with white writing or a logo on it and was carrying a black Nike holdall.

Last week another bookmakers was targeted by a man armed with a knife.

Dorset Police received reports of a man threatening staff at Coral, Oakdale Road, at 9.41am on Thursday.

No-one was physically injured in this attack, but an undisclosed amount of cash was stolen.

Anyone with information on the Betfred robbery is being urged to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55180185735.