THE net is closing in on the robber who bizarrely disguised himself with blue tape before raiding Wallisdown’s Barclays Bank this week.

Dorset Police have released two CCTV images of the suspect, following the robbery in Bryant Road on Thursday morning.

Armed police descended on the bank around 10am, shortly after the drama unfolded. Initially there were reports the man may have been armed, but detectives later said no weapons were seen.

After shocked bank staff handed over cash, the man ran down an alleyway to a service road behind the building.

He jumped into the getaway car – a light green metallic Peugeot Estate - driven by a second man.

At this point police believe a security pack discharged inside the car, covering the robber, the getaway driver and the vehicle with red dye.

Detective Sergeant Dave Colomb, of Bournemouth & Poole CID, said: “Following enquiries I am now able to release CCTV images of the suspect.

“Even though his face is disguised it is hoped that someone may recognise him by his clothing and his stature.

“It is believed that a security pack containing red dye discharged over the suspect shortly after the robbery. If anyone has seen this man with red dye on his clothing they are urged to contact the police urgently.

“All calls are treated with the strictest confidence.”

The getaway car sped off towards Mossley Road following the raid.

One witness, who asked not to be named, told the Daily Echo: “He was limping, he had blue tape over his face.

“When he got in the car they went off around the corner and there was a lot of pink smoke – the dye they put in the money bags had gone off in the car.”

Despite a large search, involving armed officers and the police helicopter, the offenders escaped.

Detectives describe the man who entered the bank as white, 5ft 10ins, wearing blue tape or a bandana to disguise his face.

He was wearing a light blue Kappa tracksuit top, black Nike tracksuit bottoms with a white Nike tick on the left and white Nike Air trainers. He also wore a brown baseball cap, with a fawn coloured peak and white writing on it.