UPDATED: Police have this afternoon arrested two persons after a cash box was stolen from the hands of a security guard as he left a bank in Ryde.
In a dramatic scene in the middle of town, an unknown assailant grabbed the box – used to transfer money – as a G4S security guard left the Lloyds Bank in Union Street at around 12:10.
Unconfirmed reports suggest the thief followed the armoured guard into the bank before the attack took place when the G4S employee headed back outside to the secure vehicle, which was parked across the road.
CCTV footage is being studied by detectives from Hampshire Constabulary. It is understood the robber ran from the scene.
Island Echo understand an all-unit response was issued by Police with several Police officers and vehicles descending on the scene.
It is currently unknown if money had just been deposited or collected from the bank, which has recently undergone a rebrand from Lloyds TSB to Lloyds Bank.
UPDATE @ 17:30 – Police have this evening confirmed they are treating the rare incident as theft and have stated that two persons remain in custody having been arrested on suspicion of theft.
Speaking for the first time about the incident, a spokesperson for the G4S security group has said:
“The crew of one of our vehicles was attacked during a violent incident outside Lloyds Bank in Ryde this lunchtime. Fortunately none of the crew sustained any injures as a result of the incident.
“We are committed to maintaining the safety of our staff and the general public. G4S works closely with the police, the government and relevant local authorities to develop initiatives to prevent attacks against those working in the cash-in-transit industry.”
UPDATE @ 19:00 – Island Echo can exclusively reveal that Police officers stopped a Southern Vectis Number 9 bus en-route to Newport, around 10 minutes after the incident took place this afternoon.
Passengers on board were briefly searched before the bus was allowed to proceed to its destination.
Witnesses to the incident are asked to come forward. Anyone with information can contact Newport CID by phoning 101. Information can be given anonymously by phoning the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
