TWO men have been arrested in connection with a series of betting shop robberies in Dorset and Hampshire.

Police are investigating eight incidents at bookmakers, which all took place over a 18-day period last month.

Ladbrokes in Station Road, West Moors was targeted in an armed robbery at around 8pm on Wednesday, January 16.

A masked robber raided the shop with a meat cleaver, before he threatened staff, leapt over the counter and stole cash from a safe.

Five days later, Ladbrokes in Commercial Road, Poole was subjected to an armed robbery at around 6.30pm.

A man threatened staff with a screwdriver and made off with an amount of cash.

The other incidents took place in Southampton, Romsey, Holbury, Hedge End, Chandlers Ford and Bitterne.

Two men aged 29 and 55 from Eastleigh have been arrested by police.

Hampshire Constabulary said both men remained in police custody.