The Chronicle

Catch the King Street knife bandit

G4S MAN IS AMBUSHED IN DAYLIGHT RAID ON BUSY STREET

- By MICHAEL MUNCASTER Reporter michael.muncaster@trinitymir­ror.com

A KNIFE bandit was on the run last night after threatenin­g a security guard and escaping with cash from outside a Tyneside bank.

The G4S employee was ambushed in the busy street by a branch of Barclays.

He was approached by the man brandishin­g the weapon outside the bank on King Street, South Shields, at around 11.45am yesterday.

He snatched a cash box being carried by the courier and ran off.

Police said the guard wasn’t injured but was left shaken.

The street was busy with police for around two hours as officers launched an investigat­ion.

Detectives could be seen speaking to the driver while a forensics officer gathered evidence from the van.

A worker at the nearby Ladbrokes beeting shop, said: “I saw the police come down and cordon the area off but didn’t think much of it.

“People have been saying a bloke had a machete and took some money off a driver.”

Staff at the Ship and Royal pub, opposite the bank, said drinkers also saw a man threaten the guard with a knife.

Police are searching for the suspect who fled t with another man.

He was 6ft, with a slight build and was wearing a blue bobble hat.

A spokesman said: “At 11.45am police received a report a security guard was approached by a male outside Barclays Bank, King Street, South Shields. “The man threatened the security guard with a knife, and was able to make off with the cash box being carried by the security guard. “The security guard wasn’t injured but was left shaken by the incident.” Duncan Watson, for G4S Cash Solutions, said: “One of our cash crews was the victim of a vicious attack during a routine service on King Street in South Shields. Fortunatel­y our colleague has not suffered any serious injuries but understand­ably has been left very shaken by the attack. “We are working closely with Northumbri­a Police and I would urge anyone who may have been nearby and seen this attack to get in touch with the police so that those behind it can be brought to justice.” Anyone with informatio­n is asked to call 101 quoting 322 13/02/18 or Crimestopp­ers on 0800 555 111.

People have been saying a bloke had a machete and took some money off a driver Robbery eyewitness

 ??  ?? Officers gathering evidence outside the bank
Officers gathering evidence outside the bank

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