G4S courier bashed and robbed
South Shields England Feb 14 2018
A manhunt is under way after a security guard was robbed at knifepoint outside a bank in South Shields.
The guard was approached by a man brandishing a weapon outside the Barclays bank on King Street at around 11.45am on Tuesday.
He snatched a cash box being carried by the G4S courier and fled the scene on foot.
Police said the guard wasn’t injured but was left shaken by the incident.
The street was busy with police for around two hours as officers launched an investigation.
Detectives could be seen speaking to the driver while a forensics officer gathered evidence from the van.
A Ladbrokes worker said: “I saw the police come down and cordon the area off but didn’t think much of it.
“People have been saying a bloke had a machete and took some money off a driver.”
Staff at the Ship and Royal pub, opposite the bank, said revellers also saw a man threaten the guard with a knife.
Northumbria Police is searching for the suspect who fled the scene on foot, accompanied by another man.
He is described as 6ft tall with a slight build and was wearing a blue bobble hat.
A police spokesman said: “At 11.45am police received a report a security guard was approached by a male outside Barclays Bank, King Street, South Shields.
“The man threatened the security guard with a knife, and was able to make off with the cash box being carried by the security guard.
“The security guard wasn’t injured but was left shaken by the incident.”
Duncan Watson, area risk consultant for G4S Cash Solutions, said: “One of our cash crews was the victim of a vicious attack during a routine service on King Street in South Shields.
“Fortunately, our colleague has not suffered any serious injuries but understandably has been left very shaken by the attack.
“We are working closely with Northumbria Police and I would urge anyone who may have been nearby and seen this attack to get in touch with the police so that those behind it can be brought to justice.”
