Thief wielding umbrella robs security guard in Prestwich (From Prestwich and Whitefield Guide)

Thief wielding umbrella robs security guard in Prestwich

9:50am Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in News

A thief who used an umbrella to mask his face robbed a security guard of thousands of pounds.

It happened during a robbery at the Natwest bank on Bury New Road, Prestwich, at about 10am on Tuesday 25 September 2012.

The G4S security guard was delivering to the bank when the offender appeared, holding an umbrella to obscure his face, and with a bag over his shoulder.

As the guard left the bank, the offender ran towards him and demanded the cash box. He snatched the box from the guard's hands, which contained a substantial amount of cash, and then fled down Clifton Road.

The guard was not injured.

The thief is described as white, with dark short hair and wearing a dark woollen-type thigh length coat, dark trousers and dark shoes. The umbrella was black.

Police are now appealing to anyone with information to come forward.

Detective Constable Robert Leacy said: "It would appear some pre-planning has gone into this robbery as the thief has gone to unusual lengths to use an umbrella to conceal his identity.

"However, what this boils down, to no matter what the offender used, is theft – pure and simple. He targeted a security guard and snatched a substantial amount of cash, and is therefore someone we need to find, arrest and put behind bars.

"I am appealing to anyone who has information to come forward. I would particularly like to urge people who may have been at the bank that morning to cast their minds back and try and remember if you saw a man carrying an umbrella.

"If you did, or have any other information, we need to hear from you."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 8199 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.