Richard Joslin reports on a robbery of a bank, conducted around midday in Norwich city centre.
The Co-operative Bank on London Street was the victim of a robbery last Wednesday.
A hooded man, wearing a scarf to conceal his face, raided the Norwich city centre bank shortly after midday. According to the victims and witnesses at the scene the robber walked up to the cashier with a “sharp” object that “looked like a gun” and whispered to her to hand over a large amount of cash, although police say no weapon was seen. No one was harmed in the incident, and some inside the bank at the time were not even aware it was being robbed.
According to the Eastern Daily Press, a witness who gave his name as Luke S said: “I walked to the bank and when I passed him, (the raider) he started following me,” he said. “I sat down inside. There were only two people in the bank and about five minutes later I saw a manager running towards the door. He was shutting everything down and the next minute he was calling the police.”
The police then proceeded to warning those in the nearby area and set the city centre on alert in case the robber struck again. Witness Luke S added that “he was very quiet and he took the cash and walked away. The guy standing behind him didn’t even notice”.
Norfolk Constabulary issued a statement on their website later that day, warning Norwich citizens and appealing for witnesses.
“No one was hurt in the incident and no vehicle was seen. The suspect is described as male, about six feet tall, of skinny build, aged in his early 20s, with brown hair. He was wearing a grey hooded top or dark jacket with a hood, blue jeans and had a grey/blue scarf over his face. He also wore white trainers and was unshaven. Enquiries are ongoing to locate the offender.”
Detective Sergeant Nigel Gillick of Bethel Street Criminal Investigation Department said: “Our enquiries continue and we’d appeal for anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity in the area prior to the incident and also immediately after the robbery to call us.”
Police are currently going over CCTV tapes. The robber remains at large.