POLICE are hunting a gun-wielding raider after an attempted armed robbery in broad daylight at a bookmakers last night.

Armed officers joined plain-clothed police in the search after the incident at Coral in Wimborne Road, Winton, which took place at around 5.25pm.

Some could be seen conducting enquiries in the road while carrying weapons.

Sergeant Chris Ingram, of Winton Police Station, said: “An armed robbery has taken place.

“One male is currently being looked for by officers.

“Anyone with information is asked to call Dorset Police on 101, quoting incident number 336:22.”

Later a Dorset police spokesman said: " A male entered the bookmakers brandishing what appeared to be a handgun. The male left empty-handed and disappeared into Latimer Road, possibly into a car."

The bookies, at the junction with Latimer Road, remains cordoned off by police while investigations take place.

Four police cars, two armed response units and the police helicopter joined the search for the culprit.

No one was injured in the incident.

Tom Beasley, 19, editor of Bournemouth University's student paper, The Rock, said: “I just stumbled across this.

“Winton is usually quite quiet, so I'm surprised to see it.”

Joe Penfold, of Charminster, had been trying to visit the shop to place a bet on a football game when he saw the police activity.

He said: “I'd heard there was a gun squad here going door-to-door, and that there had been a robbery, but it's still a bit of a shock.

“I've heard everyone's alright, which is good news.”

Rachel Evans, 67, who lives in Winton, said the news was “a scandal”.

“You just can't believe the cheek of it,” she said.

“It's still daylight. What's the world coming to?”