Security guard injured as gang attacks

By Julie Harding j.harding ROBBERS escaped with around GBP25,000after attacking a security guard as he left a Bristol bank carryingcash boxes.

The gang struck at 11.10am yesterday, just as the Securicor guardwas leaving a branch of Lloyds TSB in Wells Road, Knowle.

The security firm is offering a "substantial" reward forinformation leading to the conviction of the robbers.

As reported in later editions of yesterday's Evening Post, one manapproached the guard and forced him to give up the cash boxes he wascarrying. The guard did not need hospital treatment but suffered awrist injury.

The robber joined two others in a waiting silver VauxhallCavalier, which had pulled up on the forecourt of a chip shop nextdoor to the bank.

A man tried to stop the robber, described as a youth, from gettinginto the car but he managed to pull free and the car sped away.

It was found shortly afterwards in Crowndale Road, Knowle, wherethe gang is thought to have transferred to another vehicle.

The Lloyds TSB branch remained closed yesterday afternoon aspolice continued the search for the gang.

There were more than a dozen witnesses to the incident, includingDella Smith, who works in Moss Gifts nearby, and her boss MatthewSavage.

Ms Smith said: "I heard a screech of brakes and a lot ofcommotion.

"There were loads of people looking shocked at the bus stopopposite and I ran outside - I thought there had been an accident.

"I saw the Securicor van parked outside the bank and someone said:'It's a robbery - get the police'.

"There was a silver car on the forecourt and a youth was trying todive into it. Somebody was trying to pull him back out again.

"I saw the registration number and I ran back into the shop andasked Matthew to get the police."

Mr Savage said: "I was talking to someone on the phone.

"I just ended the call and then dialled 999."

Ms Smith went outside again and saw the silver car speeding downRedcatch Road.

Lloyds TSB would not comment on the robbery except to confirm thatno staff or customers were hurt.

A Securicor spokesperson said: "Securicor deplores such incidentsand is doing everything possible to assist the police with theirinquiries.

"The safety of our staff and the public is of paramount importanceand, as such, we are offering a substantial reward for anyinformation leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsiblefor the attack."

Police said that they were searching for three men in connectionwith the robbery.

Anyone who witnessed the robbery should ring Crimestoppers on 0800555111.