Police believe same man is behind two Bathgate armed robberies

Police say two armed robberies in Bathgate within a few days of each other were carried out by the same suspect.

Officers previously made an appeal for witnesses after cash was taken from a bookmakers by a man armed with a meat cleaver.

And it has emerged a second robbery took place at a nearby pawnbrokers three days later.

The first raid happened at a bookies in Hopetoun Street on Friday November 2 at around 7.20pm.

A man who had been using a gaming machine there threatened a female member of staff with the cleaver before stealing a three-figure sum and a charity tin.

Then, on Monday November 5, a man entered a pawnbrokers on George Street at 1.20pm and threatened staff with a hammer.

He demanded money, taking the contents of a till.

No-one was hurt in either incident.

In both robberies, the suspect is described as between 5 foot 10 inches and 6 foot tall, of slim build, with a long nose and deep sunken eyes, and was wearing dark clothing and black trainers with white soles.

Detective Inspector Paul Batten said: "We have carried out extensive inquiries and believe that the same man is responsible. He was carrying a carrier bag in the first robbery, and a black rucksack in the second, which he used to take the money away.

"Fortunately no-one was injured in either incident but staff were left extremely shaken.

"A dedicated team of detectives are investigating these robberies and I am keen to hear from anyone who was in Bathgate town centre on Friday evening or Monday afternoon and may have seen this man before or after each incident."

Anyone with information should contact Livingston CID on 101, quoting incident 3785 of 2nd November for the bookmakers robbery or 1798 of 5th November for the pawnbroker robbery. Alternatively contact the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.