Masked robbers attack Newport bank cash van

A G4S van was targeted by two men outside Lloyds Bank, in High Street, on Tuesday.

The bank confirmed staff were helping police with their investigation, and no one was injured.

West Mercia Police said officers were called to reports of a robbery in High Street at about 10am.

Reporter Dayna Farrington Tweeted:

A poster in the window of the bank is offering a reward of up to £25,000 for information and police have asked for anyone with dashcam or phone footage to come forward.

Bill Barrass, of Newport Engravers, in High Street, said: “It must have been around 10am. A security van was parked outside here and then moved further down. I heard a lot of commotion and a car horn blaring. I heard the squeal of tyres and saw a boy racer-type car race off up the road.

“I could see someone in the driver seat with a black bobble hat on, crouched down.

“It seems to be the money van that was targeted. I saw the security guard outside and then the police turned up – they asked if we had seen anything.”

Millie Mitchell, of the nearby Diamond Beauty Salon, said: “We saw an old man running up the street shouting, which we thought was a bit odd. There were lots of police around earlier today.”

Detective Sergeant Ian Rutherford said: “The men drove off in the direction of Stafford Street, where they dumped the emptied cashbox at the traffic lights.

“This happened in a busy town centre in the daytime so we believe lots of people will have seen the incident or the suspects’ vehicle. If anyone saw anything, or captured footage on your phone or CCTV then we would ask them to get in touch.”

The robbers are described as being around 5ft 6 inches and 5ft 8 inches tall and wearing black ski masks or scarves to cover their faces. One is described as having a stocky build, the other as being ‘chubby’. The driver of a black Hyundai getaway car is described as being white, wearing a black woolly hat, sunglasses, and a dark zip-up fleece top. Some reports say he had a face scarred with pockmarks.

The bank reopened to customers yesterday afternoon. A bank spokesman added: “We are aware of an incident and are currently helping police with their ongoing investigation.”

Witnesses should call101 and quote reference number 0181S of 20 March. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org