Security guard hurt in Washington bank raid

For the Newcastle Journal (Oct 13)

Horror scene: Lloyds TSB Bank in Concord, Washington

By Joanne Butcher and Ryan Pilot

“The staff locked the doors, but after the men went the security guard started hammering to be let in, that was the worst thing.

“Everyone was in a panic, I was shouting to let him in, but we were worried the attackers were still there. Everyone was looking for somewhere to hide.

“The guard was seven shades of pale, he was so shook up. He had cuts on his face but I think he had been shielding himself with his case, otherwise he could have been killed.”

Another witness, who did not wish to be named, told how the gang beat the guard in an effort to get away with the money.

“I saw two assailants assaulting the security guard, really laying into him,” he said.

“I just hope they catch them. That poor man was going about his job and he doesn’t deserve something like that.”

A doctor from the nearby Victoria Road Health Centre is believed to have treated the guard’s facial injuries before an ambulance arrived.

He was then taken to hospital, where he remained last night, but was not believed to be in a life-threatening condition.

Yesterday, the bank was closed and a cordon was thrown around it as police forensic teams combed the scene for evidence.

A force spokesman said: “Police are appealing for witnesses following a robbery in Blue House Lane, Washington.

“It happened at around 9.15am when three men in a Land Rover Defender approached security guards in a G4S van and stole an amount of money. Police are currently carrying out a number of inquiries into this robbery.”

A G4S spokesman added: “The crew of one of our vehicles was attacked during a violent incident in Blue House Lane, Washington. We can confirm that one of our couriers suffered minor injuries.

“We take any attack on our staff very seriously and are committed to maintaining their safety and that of the general public.

“G4S Cash Solutions (UK) continues to work closely with trade unions, the police, the Government and local communities to develop initiatives that will curtail the growing number of violent attacks taking place on the cash-in-transit industry.”

Lloyds TSB confirmed there had been “an incident” but refused to comment further.

Anyone who was in the area of Blue House Lane at the time of the incident should call police on 0345 604 3043 ext 69191, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Guard cut & beaten in bank terror raid

For the Newcastle Evening Chronicle (Oct 13)

Shaken witnesses: Sonia Lyburd and Thelma Jasper

By Joanne Butcher and Ryan Pilot

MASKED raiders were on the run today after a terrifying attack at a bank.

The three-man gang swooped on a G4S security guard as he delivered cash to Lloyds TSB in Blue House Lane, Concorde, Washington, yesterday morning.

Horrified witnesses told how armed attackers rained down blows on the man at around 9.15am.

Sonia Lyburd, 42, from Albany, Washington, was in a car outside the bank with her daughter Shannon, eight.

"I was terrified," she said. "The men went up to the van where the security guard was and got him on the deck.

"I couldn't get Shannon out of the back door of the car because they were right outside it. I dragged her into the front and we ran into the bank.

"I was screaming, 'There's a robbery, they're killing him'."

Sonia believes the men were armed with machete-type knives. Though police could not confirm this, they said a firearm may have been brandished but not fired.

Thelma Jasper, also from Albany, was inside the bank.

"The staff locked the doors and called the police," the 56-year-old said. "After the men went, the security guard started hammering to be let in.

"Everyone was in a panic. I was shouting to let the him in, but we were worried the attackers were still there. Everyone was looking for somewhere to hide.

"The guard was seven shades of pale, he was so shook up. He had cuts on his face, but I think he had been shielding himself with his case otherwise he could have been killed. It was well planned and professional. They knew what they were doing.

"I just hope anyone who saw anything comes forward to the police. They shouldn't be allowed to get away with it."