£32,000 stolen from bookies bungalow

Thousands of pounds in cash was stolen from a book-maker working at the Cheltenham Festival as he was celebrating the end of the meeting’s third day, police said today.

Around £32,000 (€48,000) was stolen from the bungalow in Westmancote, Gloucestershire, where Keith Harris, from Warrington, is staying for the world-famous race meeting.

The theft happened just hours after another bookmaker, Freddie Williams, was forced off the road and robbed by a masked gang after he drove away from the Festival last night.

Mr Harris was out for dinner with colleagues from Pat Whelan Racing when his money was stolen and believes the theft was not the work of an opportunist.

He said: “We were clearly targeted. The five other surrounding bungalows were not affected. This was not random in any way.”

The Cheltenham Festival is the largest National Hunt meeting so book-makers have considerably more money with them than they would at any other event, he added.

The theft took place between 8.15pm and 11.45pm last night and £27,431 (€38,902) and €9,213 were taken in total.

Police are now warning book-makers and racing fans to be extra-cautious with their money, either when they are carrying it around or storing it in un-attended places.

A police spokesman said: “Criminals are clearly aware of the large amounts of cash in the area when the Cheltenham Festival is on.

“While not necessarily practicable, we advise book-makers and visitors to deposit substantial amounts of cash in a bank overnight and retrieve it the following day. This would help to minimise opportunities for ever-alert criminals.”

A “substantial” reward has been offered by Mr Harris to anyone who can help him get back his money and catch the thieves.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 08457 444888 and quote 3S/170306.