Security guard hits bank raider with van

10:10pm Monday 6th October 2008

A MASKED raider, armed with a sledgehammer, was knocked down by a security van during a bungled bank robbery.

Three robbers, wearing gloves and balaclavas, targeted the Halifax bank in Brackley Street, Farnworth, at around 10.20pm on Friday as two cash vans came to deliver money to the bank’s ATM machines.

Two G4S security guards had just gone inside the bank when the gang pounced, bursting through the front doors.

The quick-thinking guards managed to put the cassette containing the cash behind the secure counter, which was protected by safety glass.

They then locked themselves inside the toilets, police said.

The gang used sledgehammers to try and smash the glass, but gave up after a short time and fled outside where the driver of the second security van was trying to stop them escaping by blocking their exit.

The three men turned on the van and tried to smash their way in through the windscreen and the side windows.

As the driver tried to escape, he drove forward at around 20mph and hit one of the raiders in the chest with the front near-side of the van.

The shell-shocked robber managed to get up and limp away with his accomplices to an alleyway next to the Tote bookmaker, which leads to a rear car park.

It is believed the gang may have fled in a waiting car.

Detective Constable Mike Mather, of Bolton CID, said police had been checking hospitals in a bid to trace the injured raider.

Anyone with information is asked to call Bolton CID on 0161 856 0959 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.