Bookmakers 'Bomb': Man Charged

9 September 2013, 12:27 | Updated: 9 September 2013, 12:34

Police have charged a man over a robbery at a bookmaker's in Hertfordshire that saw controlled explosions carried out on a suspect package.

Police were called to a branch of Ladbrokes in Cole Green Lane, Welwyn Garden City at 4.50pm on Friday 6 September 2013, to reports of a robbery.

Information was also received that a suspect package had reportedly been left at the scene. Two controlled explosions were carried out on it, but it was found not to be dangerous.

A hundred metre cordon was set up around the scene for a number of hours as a precaution.

Brian Woods, 45, from Elliott Close, Welwyn Garden City was arrested and later charged with robbery and possession of an offensive weapon. He was due to appear before Hatfield Remand Court on Monday 9 September 2013.

Detective inspector Tim Johnson, investigating the incident, said: "I would like to reassure members of the public that the package was not an explosive device.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the residents of Welwyn Garden City who co-operated with police during the incident."