Shots fired in bank raid
Gunshots were fired at a security guard during an armed robbery at a busy Black Country bank, terrifying staff and shoppers.
The raider, wearing a motorbike helmet, fired two shots before grabbing a full cash box outside Lloyds TSB in Wednesbury and escaping on the back of a motorbike driven by an accomplice.
The female security guard, one of a two-strong team, was getting cash from the back of the Group 4 Securicor van outside the Walsall Street branch yesterday afternoon when she was confronted by the robber.
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One of the bullets hit her shoe, but missed her foot. She escaped with bruising but was taken to hospital by one of two ambulances called to the scene.
A drinker in the Bellwether pub, who was walking up the street and witnessed the drama at around 3.40pm, said: "I saw two people on a bike speeding off down towards Union Street through the pedestrian precinct. It looked like an off-road type of bike.
"They nearly knocked down a man coming out of Greggs and almost hit an old woman as well."
Barbara Toy, aged 59, manageress of Walkers Bingo Club next door to the bank, said: "I was inside, but my husband had nipped out to the car. The next thing we saw was the bike speeding past."
A risk manager for Group 4 Securicor, who was on the scene following the raid, said: "Our guard is in hospital and although bruised and shocked she is unhurt, which is the most important thing." One shocked bank worker said: "I was in the back office when it happened, but heard the shots. Everyone is in shock.
"I have worked here five years and nothing like this has happened before.
"You hear of it happening, but you never think it will be your branch.
"There are around 20 staff working here and everyone is terrified." The immediate area around the bank, including the blue cash-in-transit van, was cordoned off for several hours as scenes of crime officers examined the area.
West Midlands Police spokeswoman Catherine Preece said: "Both offenders kept their motorcycle helmets on during the incident. The main one was wearing all black, with a black and white helmet. The other was in all black.
"The motorbike, which is believed to be red in colour, left the scene in the direction of Great Bridge and Dudley Port."
Anyone who saw the incident or was in the area at the time is asked to call CID at West Bromwich on 0845 1135000.nextpage
