Police gather new leads in bank robbery

Jan 31 2010 Sunday Sun

When the door opened and customers filed in, he followed suit. Then, without saying a word, he sprayed a male member of staff who was sitting near the entrance.

After forcing the injured worker to help them gain entry to the bank’s secure area, he was joined by an accomplice.

The second man is described as stocky, was wearing a green combat-style jacket, blue jeans, yellow plastic gloves and a black motorcycle helmet. He carried a silver helmet.

The pair ordered customers and staff to lie on the floor then stashed cash into the IKEA bag before fleeing on a Yamaha trials motorbike, which they abandoned in the Polmaise Street/ Burnley Street area of Blaydon at around 9.15 am. The motorbike bore the false registration number NK09 HXY.

There were seven staff and customers in that section of the bank at the time.

Police say they are concerned at the level of violence used.

“It is very unusual for a bank to be robbed in this way,” said Det Insp Barrett. “It was a nasty robbery and must have been terrifying.

“The degree of violence used is a concern to us. There was no initial threat, the robber just came in and immediately blasted the worker with the ammonia.”

He added: “The men involved spoke with cockney accents, but we believe they may have faked their accents and could very well be local people. One of the men is thought to have a very deep voice.

“The second man was wearing a cream-coloured coat and was seen carrying a blue plastic IKEA bag, which we believe contained the proceeds of the robbery.”

The amount of money taken has not been disclosed

Anyone with information should call police on 0345 604 3043 or Crimestoppers 0800 555111.