CCTV images have been released by detectives investigating a robbery at a bank in Oxford in which the manager was locked in his own vault.
Officers are continuing to appeal for information regarding the raid, which happened at a branch of Lloyds TSB in Summertown on Thursday, January 19. Two men forced their way into the premises in Banbury Road at around 7.30am as the manager arrived at the bank.
It is thought that they stayed inside the building for around half an hour before fleeing with an unspecified amount of cash. The images released show two vehicles outside the bank shortly after 7.30am, both of which are believed to have been involved in the robbery.
The vehicles shown in the images, a black hatchback and a silver Vauxhall Zafira, both left the scene in the direction of the city centre shortly after 8am. The alarm was raised by a member of staff shortly after 9am, and police attending the scene found the 51-year-old manager locked in the vault. He had been slapped but while the robbers are believed to have possessed a knife, it was kept in a bag and he was not threatened with it.
Both offenders were wearing a black mask covering their mouth and nose. The first was white, 30 years old, 5ft 10ins, with a grade one shaved head and he was unshaven. The second was black, 25 years old, 6ft, with tight curly hair and he had thin features. He was also wearing a head covering.
Investigating officer Det Sgt Matt Jarman, of Force CID in Oxford, said: “I am hoping the images will help jog people’s memories as I am still appealing for witnesses to come forward, particularly anyone who was in the area of the bank before or during the time the offenders were inside the premises, as well as anyone who saw the offenders or the cars leaving the area.
“We are continuing to examine CCTV footage in the area. No arrests have been made as yet, but the inquiry is progressing.”
The Lloyds Bank Group is a member of the British Bankers Association (BBA) Reward Scheme and is offering a reward of up to £25,000 to any member of the public who can provide information which leads to the arrest of the offenders.
Anyone with information should call police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
