Armed robbers have targeted a North-East bingo club over the weekend, making off with a significant amount of cash.

Three masked men terrified the staff and bingo players at the Top Ten Bingo club in Durham late on Sunday evening. Two of the gang were armed, one with a machete and they forced two female bingo players, a female cleaner and the assistant manager at the club to lie on the ground. They then made the 40 year old assistant manager open the safe before fleeing the bingo club on Sherburn road with a bag containing a large amount of cash.

The club manager, Malcolm Evans, said that those involved were shaken up and he was trying to reassure them following the attack. No further comments were added.

It is reported the robbers entered the Top Ten Bingo club after the bingo session had finished at around 9.40pm. The crime had clearly been thought through as the club normally closes shortly afterwards. The gang of thieves were believed to have been in the club for less than 10 minutes.

Nev Carmen, the Detective Inspector of Durham Police, said: “Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident but it was a frightening experience for those involved.

“At this stage we don’t know exactly how much money was stolen but believe it was a substantial quantity.”

The men were wearing dark clothing and had their faces covered up.

The CCTV footage at the Top Ten Bingo club is being investigated for any possible leads.

Det Insp Carmen has asked that anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity in the time leading up to the robbery or saw the suspects fleeing the scene contact the police as soon as possible.

Durham Police can be contacted on 101, or you can call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555-111.