Man Tries To Rob Southampton Casino

Detectives at Shirley CID have released a CCTV image of a suspect they need to identify.

The man on the black mountain bike and wearing a bright yellow backpack is pictured cycling in Above Bar Street, towards Guildhall Square, shortly before 9am Tuesday, August 7. 

The suspect is described as about 6ft tall and white, possibly slightly tanned. He wore a black hat, dark trousers, a dark hoodie with white cords hanging at the neck and a bright yellow backpack or sports bag. 

At about 9.30am, a man entered the back door of Slot Casino and threatened a man and a woman member of staff with a knife. 

The knife is described as a kitchen knife with a six-inch smooth blade. 

He demanded that the woman open the safe. When she refused and pushed an alarm, he fled empty-handed through the back door and was seen to head into a rear courtyard area in the direction of Sussex Road, East Park and Palmerston Park. 

Neither the woman member of staff nor the man, who was the only customer in the casino at the time, was injured. 

Detectives want to hear from anyone who saw a man of this description, with or without the mountain bike, in the area of Above Bar Street, Sussex Road, East Park and Palmerston Park between 8.30 and 10am. 

They also want to hear from anyone who may have found a discarded dark hoodie, kitchen knife or yellow backpack. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Paddy Coughlin at Shirley CID on 101 or the anonymous Crimestoppers charity line on 0800 555 111. Minicom users can ring 01962 875000.