A bookmaker has spoken of his anger after he was pinned to the ground and punched during a robbery in which nearly £1,000 was stolen from his Lowestoft shop.

A bookmaker has spoken of his anger after he was pinned to the ground and punched during a robbery in which nearly £1,000 was stolen from his Lowestoft shop.

Grant Holwell, manager of the Tote Sport bookmakers in Raglan Street, was working alone on Tuesday evening when two men walked in and asked to see the dog betting coupons.

Within seconds one of the men burst behind the counter and assaulted Mr Holwell, 49, before stealing cash from the safe. Paramedics were called to the scene and Mr Holwell was treated for cuts to his temple and arm.

Mr Holwell, who has worked at the shop for four years, said: “I was just angry they had done it. I know this is a high-risk business, but it shouldn't be like that. People think bookies are all rich, but we don't have that much money here.

“One of them punched me on the head, pinned me down by the shoulder and grabbed the money from the safe. And then they were gone. They were in the shop for no more than 30 seconds.”

Mr Holwell added the decision to have only one member of staff working during the evenings was made to save money, but that he would ensure two employees were on duty from now on.

No weapons were seen during the robbery, which took place at about 7.45pm.

One of the suspects is described as white, with a tanned complexion, in his late 20s to 30s, about 5ft 10ins, of medium build and with short dark hair. He was wearing a dark jumper and light-blue faded jeans. He spoke with what appeared to be a north-eastern accent.

His accomplice was also white, of a similar age, about 6ft, thin and with short cropped hair at the back. He was wearing a green bomber-style jacket, a dark T-shirt and a baseball cap. He also had a tattoo on his neck.

Earlier this year, a robber, believed to be brandishing a handgun, stole more than £1,000 in cash from the Ladbrokes betting shop in Victoria Road, Lowestoft. The robbery happened at about 6.50pm on Saturday, January 12.

Anyone with information about either raid should contact Lowestoft CID on 01986 835300 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.