Manhunt: police seek raider who threatened bank staff (From Bournemouth Echo)
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Manhunt: police seek raider who threatened bank staff
8:23am Thursday 25th October 2012 in News By Paula Roberts
Manhunt: police seek raider who threatened bank staff
POLICE are hunting a man who tried to rob a Bournemouth bank in broad daylight.
A large number of officers were scrambled to NatWest on Southbourne Grove, opposite Grand Avenue, at 12.05pm yesterday following reports of an attempted robbery inside.
It is the second robbery to have happened in Southbourne this week after a man wearing a hooded jacket threatened staff and stole money from One Stop in Seabourne Road on Sunday.
The latest incident at NatWest is understood to have been committed by a lone robber who had been asking for money from people using the outside cash point before he went inside and threatened staff, demanding money.
The bank was cordoned off while scenes of crimes officers gathered forensic evidence. Other officers spoke to customers who were inside the bank and nearby traders.
Armed response officers, assisted by the Dorset Police helicopter, were also drafted in to help in the search for the man. The search continued throughout the afternoon and into the evening.
News of the robbery was met with shock by residents.
Tim Colthup, who lives in Southbourne Overcliff Drive, said: “Southbourne used to be a quiet place but there have been a lot of incidents here lately. The One Stop was robbed just this Sunday.”
A Dorset Police spokesman said: “At 12.05pm we were called to an attempted robbery at NatWest. Officers, including armed police, were called to carry out a search of the area.”
A NatWest spokesperson said: “We are working with police to investigate an incident at our NatWest Southbourne branch.
As it happened: read our live coverage from yesterday
“As always, the safety and security of our customers and staff is our main priority.”
She said the bank would remain closed for the remainder of the day and reopen at 9am today. Customers were directed to use the Boscombe and Christchurch branches during the closure.
Det Insp Becky Riggs, of Bournemouth CID, appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to contact police urgently.
She said: “There was no sighting of any weapon and I believe that this was the work |of a lone offender.”
The offender was a man believed to be wearing a hooded top and dark trousers.
Anyone with information should ring 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Traders shocked by second robbery in a week
TRADERS in Southbourne say they are shocked by yesterday’s attempted robbery but won’t let the actions of mindless criminals beat them.
Heather Martyn, co-ordinator of Southbourne-on-Sea Traders Association, said: “There is shock as you wouldn’t expect this kind of thing to happen here but many traders are standing strong and say they are not prepared to bow down to that kind of behaviour.
“As a business community we will not tolerate this kind of behaviour and we will work very closely with the police to help them.
“Our thoughts are with the staff at NatWest bank. The police have been fantastic and have taken the time to reassure traders that it was an opportunist crime rather than pre-planned.”
Trish Williams, manager of the Tenovus charity shop, said: “I was at the till at the time and it was my volunteer who was outside and said ‘Trish I think NatWest has been done over’. That’s when all the police cars arrived. It is a shock.”
Mrs Williams said the incident yet again highlighted the need for CCTV cameras on the high street.
“I have been told we are one of the only places locally that doesn’t have cameras. I think it’s about time we got them,” she added.
Mrs Martyn said there were a number of individual shops with CCTV cameras and the issue of providing CCTV on the high street had been discussed. “It is something that hopefully will happen.”
Pat Hickey, working at Potters Butchers, said: “I didn’t see anything because I was busy in the shop.The first I heard about it was when the police came tearing up the road.
“It is normally very quiet here all we tend to get is the odd accident on the high street.”
News of the robbery was met with shock by residents. Tim Colthup, who lives in Southbourne Overcliff Drive, said: “Southbourne used to be a quiet place but there have been a lot of incidents here lately. The One Stop was robbed just this Sunday.”
Comments(34)
Dibbles2
says...
9:19am Thu 25 Oct 12
pete woodley
says...
9:28am Thu 25 Oct 12
Controversial But True
says...
9:45am Thu 25 Oct 12
Boscombe, Pokesdown, Southbourne, river, Christchurch!!
Up to the river.....shameful!!
After the river.....peace and quiet.
Totally different world in Christchurch yet it's so close. Why??? It's not all OAP's nowadays.
Dibbles2
says...
9:51am Thu 25 Oct 12
pete woodley wrote:I retract my original comment then Pete. However to prove a point most of the criminals in Bournemouth dont come from here to be fair. They have all come down for the rehabs and the supposed better life that Dorset brings. This guy had been begging from people outside the bank and yet the description is so vague?
Dibbles,not on their own doorsteps,dont be too sure,a jewelers in Westbourne had a walk in robbery,carried out by someone living in the house behind them,what was more surprising,he was a security guard,who took absence from work,to do it.I know because i was a guard he was supposed to be working with,and i could not find him.
The Renegade Master
says...
10:12am Thu 25 Oct 12
Why doesn't that surprise anyone?!!
pete woodley
says...
10:12am Thu 25 Oct 12
Bmth 65
says...
10:32am Thu 25 Oct 12
Controversial But True wrote:Isn't the Sommerford estate part of Christchurch ?
In order...
Boscombe, Pokesdown, Southbourne, river, Christchurch!!
Up to the river.....shameful!!
After the river.....peace and quiet.
Totally different world in Christchurch yet it's so close. Why??? It's not all OAP's nowadays.
giveusthefacts
says...
11:35am Thu 25 Oct 12
nobull
says...
11:45am Thu 25 Oct 12
nobull
says...
11:47am Thu 25 Oct 12
nobull
says...
11:47am Thu 25 Oct 12
Controversial But True
says...
12:12pm Thu 25 Oct 12
Bmth 65 wrote:Technically yes!! Associated by postcode only though!
Controversial But True wrote: In order... Boscombe, Pokesdown, Southbourne, river, Christchurch!! Up to the river.....shameful!! After the river.....peace and quiet. Totally different world in Christchurch yet it's so close. Why??? It's not all OAP's nowadays.Isn't the Sommerford estate part of Christchurch ?
bottomsup
says...
12:23pm Thu 25 Oct 12
Controversial But True wrote:What an utter snob!
In order...
Boscombe, Pokesdown, Southbourne, river, Christchurch!!
Up to the river.....shameful!!
After the river.....peace and quiet.
Totally different world in Christchurch yet it's so close. Why??? It's not all OAP's nowadays.
Every area is vulnerable to crime, Southbourne and Christchurch included.
bottomsup
says...
12:23pm Thu 25 Oct 12
Controversial But True wrote:What an utter snob!
In order...
Boscombe, Pokesdown, Southbourne, river, Christchurch!!
Up to the river.....shameful!!
After the river.....peace and quiet.
Totally different world in Christchurch yet it's so close. Why??? It's not all OAP's nowadays.
Every area is vulnerable to crime, Southbourne and Christchurch included.
Mynameisme
says...
12:32pm Thu 25 Oct 12
giveusthefacts wrote:Some people will never be happy! If a report comes in of an armed robbery....I think the police should send everyone they have! The fact that they had armed units (because that's their job!) and other police cars there is a good thing! I'm sure it wasn't clear in the original call as to what weapon the guy had, if there was anyone else involved (waiting in a car etc) or if anyone was injured at all.
Talk about Police overkill. A lone raider who was begging outside the bank minutes before is hardly an intelligent or experienced bank robber. I drove through Southbourne shortly afterwards. 2 Police cars parked wreklessly across the road blocking half the carriageway causing mayhem. Armed Police in the carpark at Southborne beach and a squad car at the end of the spur road watching cars coming from Bournemouth. All that was missing was the copper chopper to make it a full house
Fingers crossed they catch him!
ben12341979
says...
12:40pm Thu 25 Oct 12
giveusthefacts wrote:Thats exactly how it should be! Better to have too many than none at all!
Talk about Police overkill. A lone raider who was begging outside the bank minutes before is hardly an intelligent or experienced bank robber. I drove through Southbourne shortly afterwards. 2 Police cars parked wreklessly across the road blocking half the carriageway causing mayhem. Armed Police in the carpark at Southborne beach and a squad car at the end of the spur road watching cars coming from Bournemouth. All that was missing was the copper chopper to make it a full house
ILoveBoscombe
says...
1:08pm Thu 25 Oct 12
bottomsup wrote:Totally agree. Have you actually been in the Christchurch pubs late at night? I feel far safer in Boscombe!
Controversial But True wrote:What an utter snob!
In order...
Boscombe, Pokesdown, Southbourne, river, Christchurch!!
Up to the river.....shameful!!
After the river.....peace and quiet.
Totally different world in Christchurch yet it's so close. Why??? It's not all OAP's nowadays.
Every area is vulnerable to crime, Southbourne and Christchurch included.
Controversial But True
says...
1:11pm Thu 25 Oct 12
bottomsup wrote:I didn't say I lived in Christchurch!! Very assumptive, based on my general observations.
Controversial But True wrote:What an utter snob!
In order...
Boscombe, Pokesdown, Southbourne, river, Christchurch!!
Up to the river.....shameful!!
After the river.....peace and quiet.
Totally different world in Christchurch yet it's so close. Why??? It's not all OAP's nowadays.
Every area is vulnerable to crime, Southbourne and Christchurch included.
bottomsup
says...
1:29pm Thu 25 Oct 12
scrumpyjack
says...
2:09pm Thu 25 Oct 12
Controversial But True wrote:And factually you’re right.
bottomsup wrote:I didn't say I lived in Christchurch!! Very assumptive, based on my general observations.
Controversial But True wrote:What an utter snob!
In order...
Boscombe, Pokesdown, Southbourne, river, Christchurch!!
Up to the river.....shameful!!
After the river.....peace and quiet.
Totally different world in Christchurch yet it's so close. Why??? It's not all OAP's nowadays.
Every area is vulnerable to crime, Southbourne and Christchurch included.
Apart from Dukes I have never seen so much as a raised voice while out in Christchurch.
HRH of Boscombe
says...
2:12pm Thu 25 Oct 12
nobull wrote:What a funny guy :p
misspelt chopper copter on purpose for all you buffs out there xx
Controversial But True
says...
2:38pm Thu 25 Oct 12
scrumpyjack wrote:As it happens, I do live in Christchurch now, but only having spent the last 16 years in either Southbourne or Boscombe. I wouldn't move back. My insurance premiums halved and I did become an instant snob, so guilty as charged on that one.
Controversial But True wrote:And factually you’re right.
bottomsup wrote:I didn't say I lived in Christchurch!! Very assumptive, based on my general observations.
Controversial But True wrote:What an utter snob!
In order...
Boscombe, Pokesdown, Southbourne, river, Christchurch!!
Up to the river.....shameful!!
After the river.....peace and quiet.
Totally different world in Christchurch yet it's so close. Why??? It's not all OAP's nowadays.
Every area is vulnerable to crime, Southbourne and Christchurch included.
Apart from Dukes I have never seen so much as a raised voice while out in Christchurch.
Christchurch has a very mature population, whether OAP age or not. The only armed robbers you'd find here have to put NHS support stockings over their heads and carry Lee Enfield rifles, perhaps with a fixed bayonet rusted on and firing pin rusted off, so they just don't bother! Too much effort in a disability buggy.
Naturally, I'm just talking about the picturesque and tranquil West Christchurch.....!!!
!
scrumpyjack
says...
3:12pm Thu 25 Oct 12
ILoveBoscombe wrote:I don't know whether to admire or ridicule people who wave the flag for Boscombe - those who say "I feel much safer in Boscombe than....".
bottomsup wrote:Totally agree. Have you actually been in the Christchurch pubs late at night? I feel far safer in Boscombe!
Controversial But True wrote:What an utter snob!
In order...
Boscombe, Pokesdown, Southbourne, river, Christchurch!!
Up to the river.....shameful!!
After the river.....peace and quiet.
Totally different world in Christchurch yet it's so close. Why??? It's not all OAP's nowadays.
Every area is vulnerable to crime, Southbourne and Christchurch included.
But in reply I would say I have not seen these headlines about Christchurch..
"Man shot in face"
"Man raped"
"Stabbing in.."
"Police seek violent..."
"Do you know this man..."
"Armed robbery...."
"A major drugs..."
"A brothel was today...."
"E-fit realised.."
"Locals fighting back..."
"re-hab centres blamed for..."
and on and on and...
robsmith123
says...
3:41pm Thu 25 Oct 12
scrumpyjack wrote:how can you see a raised voice ?
Controversial But True wrote:And factually you’re right.
bottomsup wrote:I didn't say I lived in Christchurch!! Very assumptive, based on my general observations.
Controversial But True wrote:What an utter snob!
In order...
Boscombe, Pokesdown, Southbourne, river, Christchurch!!
Up to the river.....shameful!!
After the river.....peace and quiet.
Totally different world in Christchurch yet it's so close. Why??? It's not all OAP's nowadays.
Every area is vulnerable to crime, Southbourne and Christchurch included.
Apart from Dukes I have never seen so much as a raised voice while out in Christchurch.
scrumpyjack
says...
3:42pm Thu 25 Oct 12
And of course one I can't answer.
GAHmusic
says...
5:42pm Thu 25 Oct 12
street warrior
says...
8:00pm Thu 25 Oct 12
ifordcherry
says...
8:27pm Thu 25 Oct 12
ifordcherry
says...
8:33pm Thu 25 Oct 12
Your reporter in spain
says...
8:49pm Thu 25 Oct 12
s-pb2
says...
11:20pm Thu 25 Oct 12
Mynameisme wrote:Well said and exactly right
giveusthefacts wrote:Some people will never be happy! If a report comes in of an armed robbery....I think the police should send everyone they have! The fact that they had armed units (because that's their job!) and other police cars there is a good thing! I'm sure it wasn't clear in the original call as to what weapon the guy had, if there was anyone else involved (waiting in a car etc) or if anyone was injured at all.
Talk about Police overkill. A lone raider who was begging outside the bank minutes before is hardly an intelligent or experienced bank robber. I drove through Southbourne shortly afterwards. 2 Police cars parked wreklessly across the road blocking half the carriageway causing mayhem. Armed Police in the carpark at Southborne beach and a squad car at the end of the spur road watching cars coming from Bournemouth. All that was missing was the copper chopper to make it a full house
Fingers crossed they catch him!
Your reporter in spain
says...
9:00am Fri 26 Oct 12
s-pb2 wrote:would someone like to show me where it says in the story that it was an armed robbery ? what was he armed with , a hoodied jacket maybe ? in fact it says ,for anyone who actually reads it that There was no sighting of a weapon ,so people on here are commenting without even reading the story .
Mynameisme wrote:Well said and exactly rightgiveusthefacts wrote: Talk about Police overkill. A lone raider who was begging outside the bank minutes before is hardly an intelligent or experienced bank robber. I drove through Southbourne shortly afterwards. 2 Police cars parked wreklessly across the road blocking half the carriageway causing mayhem. Armed Police in the carpark at Southborne beach and a squad car at the end of the spur road watching cars coming from Bournemouth. All that was missing was the copper chopper to make it a full houseSome people will never be happy! If a report comes in of an armed robbery....I think the police should send everyone they have! The fact that they had armed units (because that's their job!) and other police cars there is a good thing! I'm sure it wasn't clear in the original call as to what weapon the guy had, if there was anyone else involved (waiting in a car etc) or if anyone was injured at all. Fingers crossed they catch him!
to get it in perspective the general begger in southbourne after a can or two is probably simple enough to go into a bank and demand some money but is unlikely to have an AK47 down the leg of his shell-suit and probably has no connection whatsoever with somali drug gangs in london . frankly ,i dont know about being shocked ,i think most people in southbourne would have found this goon to be an irritation at worst and actually a bit laughable
Twingo
says...
9:40am Fri 26 Oct 12
;-)
nobull says...
8:48am Thu 25 Oct 12