Peterborough: Robber Claimed He Had Bomb

By Tom Horn, 6th February 2012, 16:13

A man has stolen several thousand pounds from a Peterborough bank after claiming he had a bomb.

It happened in the Co-Operative bank in Westgate at around 1pm on Saturday.

The man walked into the bank and approached a member of staff.

He then handed her a note which claimed he had a bomb, although no device was seen.

The robber was then handed several thousand pounds.

He walked out into Westgate and into nearby Beales department store for a brief period before walking back out towards the Westgate/Park Road area.

He is described as white, 5’8” to 5’9”, wearing a black woollen hat with a white stripe around it, a green combat-type jacket with the collar up and blue denim jeans. He was carrying a small rucksack with a draw-string over his shoulder.

Detective Sergeant Rob Norman, from the serious crime team at Thorpe Wood Police Station, said: "This man walked into the bank and handed the note to the member of staff, only speaking to ask her to hurry up, before calmly walking out with the money.

We know there were some other members of the public in the bank at the time who may not have been aware a robbery was taking place but may have seen the man responsible.

I would urge them, or anyone who was in the area at the time, to consider if they saw someone matching this description. If so, they should contact police as soon as possible. Any information could be very important to this inquiry.”

Officers have recovered the note handed to the member of staff and it is subject to forensic tests.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Sgt Norman on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.