Ram raid by balaclava robbers at Quedgeley bank

ROBBERS wearing balaclavas ram-raided a bank in Quedgeley stealing around £100,000 cash.

The thieves smashed into HSBC in the Olympus Centre at around 9.25am yesterday when the money was being loaded into a cash machine.

It is believed a green, double cab Nissan Navara 4x4 was used to break down the front doors as two men entered and snatched the cash before speeding away in the car.

Three members of staff were working at the time of the raid, which sent shockwaves through the community.

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Police said a "substantial" amount of cash was taken and it is believed to be around £100,000.

Louise Ledger, from Quedgeley, was shopping in nearby Aldi soon after the incident. She said: "I can't believe it, it's like something you see in the films.

"I hope no-one was hurt, but I bet the staff got a huge shock."

Janet Willis, from Quedgeley, was also shopping in the business park afterwards. "I never thought anything like this would happen here," she said."

It is not known whether or not weapons were used in the robbery, but it is understood no-one was harmed.

The bank remained closed all day yesterday.

Simon Coughlin, media relations manager for HSBC, said: "We are working with police at the moment and they are looking at the bank's CCTV.

"We will be working over the weekend to reopen it on Monday."

A police search involving the force helicopter took place after the raid and officers are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry including a review of CCTV in the area.

They are also speaking to witnesses and appealing for anyone else who may have seen suspicious activity in the area, or the car being driven before or after the incident, to come forward.

Anyone with information should ring 101, quoting incident 120 of October 5.

Alternatively information can also be given anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.