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Off-duty PC foils armed robbery
10:10pm Tuesday 4th March 2008
Comments (24)A bank robber ran straight into an off-duty policewoman as he fled with his haul into a busy shopping street.
The man demanded the money from staff at the Royal Bank of Scotland branch in Castle Square, Brighton, just before 4pm today.
But he was foiled when PC Andrea Leahy noticed red security dye, which is used to protect banknotes, dripping from his pocket as he tried to get away.
The man had gone into the central Brighton bank and demanded money, claiming he had a gun.
He threatened staff who handed over several hundred pounds in cash and walked out of the bank.
As he went to approach a bus PC Leahy spotted the tell-tale red dye.
It is thought the security mechanism on the money had been triggered shortly after he left the bank.
PC Leahy, who was walking to the bus stop with her partner, stopped the man.
Each held onto an arm to stop him from pulling out any weapons.
They kept him in Palace Place until armed police arrived. The man was searched but found to be unarmed.
PC Leahy's actions won her praise for her bravery and quick thinking.
Chief Inspector Laurence Taylor said: "Normally, a police officer would be protected with a vest, a baton, captor spray and a radio but being off duty PC Leahy had none of these things at her disposal.
"She acted incredibly bravely, tackling a potentially very dangerous individual who had just moments before indicated to bank staff that he was armed.
'Although it appears these were verbal threats, it does not take away the seriousness of the offence."
The arrest caused a stir in the busy street.
Passers-by, workmen, and shop staff gathered to watch the armed police surround the handcuffed man, while office workers peered from over-looking windows.
A 32-year-old onlooker said: "I was just walking down towards North Street. I came around the corner and there were armed police and a man was clutching what looked like a load of £50 notes covered in red dye.
"Everyone just stood around quite stunned. I missed the initial chase so I didn't see anything which happened before.
"He looked like a normal bloke.
"The armed police were right by the guy between the Royal Bank of Scotland and the newsagents at the bottom of North Street."
Staff at Cologne and Cotton, next door to the bank, heard a commotion outside their back room.
Natalie Hogben, 25, said: "I heard them while I was out the back.
"I could hear the police radio.
"I opened the back door and saw a policeman who looked at me to say, 'Go away'."
Chloe Waites, 20, said: "It was exciting seeing a gun on a Tuesday afternoon.
"We haven't seen anything like this before."
Detective Sergeant Helen Campbell, of Sussex Police, said: "A 45-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of robbery."
The man was still being questioned by Brighton CID officers tonight.
Your Say YourThe Argus
Leon, Brighton says...
11:00pm Tue 4 Mar 08
never wrong dave, Brighton says...
12:25am Wed 5 Mar 08
Leon wrote:Good words Leon.Lets face it the world would be a lot worse without the police.They are knee deep in human scum 24/7,but they just get on with the job.
I don't care what all the police haters say (I'm not too much of a fan myself) but that woman deserves a medal. Like the guy said - when they're off duty they dont have any protection, but I bet the woman didn't think twice about what she did. Good job. I wish more people were willing to step in when they see something suspicious. Most would just walk on by.
jeff, says...
1:07am Wed 5 Mar 08
Brian wrote:and more quality comments from brain
Chloe Waites, 20, said: "It was exciting seeing a gun on a Tuesday afternoon. Not half as exciting as seeing one on a Wednesday afternoon eh Chloe? More quality reporting from the Argus
Mikey, says...
1:26am Wed 5 Mar 08
Brian said: Not half as exciting as seeing one on a Wednesday afternoon eh Chloe?
Smoke another one Brian, today is Tuesday.
But didn't the article say that the robber was found to be unarmed? Did he ditch the weapon? Soozie, what do you think?
steve, spain says...
1:59am Wed 5 Mar 08
cashier, hove says...
6:26am Wed 5 Mar 08
ronnie, Brighton says...
7:50am Wed 5 Mar 08
steve wrote:try that in English please?
poor gezer being held down buy two moterbikes should of banjoed the pair of them
and the biggest YAY! and thanks for the PC and her partner!
the Police get 10/10 as far as im comncerned.
these *****'s that knock them are the first to dial 999 when they are in trouble.
if i was copper, and arrested some violent scumbag, he wouldnt get a few hours community service, he'd get 6months in a wheelchair - i dont know how they resist the temptation i really dont
homer, springfield says...
7:54am Wed 5 Mar 08
Decent folk, Brighton says...
7:55am Wed 5 Mar 08
never wrong dave wrote:Couldnt put it better myself
Leon wrote: I don't care what all the police haters say (I'm not too much of a fan myself) but that woman deserves a medal. Like the guy said - when they're off duty they dont have any protection, but I bet the woman didn't think twice about what she did. Good job. I wish more people were willing to step in when they see something suspicious. Most would just walk on by.Good words Leon.Lets face it the world would be a lot worse without the police.They are knee deep in human scum 24/7,but they just get on with the job.
steve, bank of no cash says...
8:41am Wed 5 Mar 08
ronnie wrote:hurry up and get your wages down john st grass.
steve wrote: poor gezer being held down buy two moterbikes should of banjoed the pair of themtry that in English please? and the biggest YAY! and thanks for the PC and her partner! the Police get 10/10 as far as im comncerned. these *****'s that knock them are the first to dial 999 when they are in trouble. if i was copper, and arrested some violent scumbag, he wouldnt get a few hours community service, he'd get 6months in a wheelchair - i dont know how they resist the temptation i really dont
Dave, At home says...
8:45am Wed 5 Mar 08
So what does a bank robber look like then?
Police 1 - 0 Scum
Yeah, they can rise my council tax to provide more overtime and then there will be no need to have off duty cops, let's sort this town out and make it a proper city....
rb, brighton says...
9:46am Wed 5 Mar 08
homer wrote::P
DOHHHHH. what sort of numbnuts tries to use a bus for a getaway, especially in brighton where nothing moves that quickly. well done for spotting the dye, and a quick arrest
that was my first reaction too! must not be from around these parts.
Brambo, says...
9:57am Wed 5 Mar 08
Brian, Hove says...
9:57am Wed 5 Mar 08
jeff wrote:Thanks Jeff but not sure what your point is other than not being able to spell my name right or is that a little jokette on your part?
Brian wrote:and more quality comments from brain
Chloe Waites, 20, said: "It was exciting seeing a gun on a Tuesday afternoon. Not half as exciting as seeing one on a Wednesday afternoon eh Chloe? More quality reporting from the Argus
Brian, Hove says...
10:01am Wed 5 Mar 08
Mikey wrote:Mikey you should try going to bed early as you haven't got my post at all have you? And If you read the article properly as well you will see that The lovely Chloe was referring to a policeman's gun.
Chloe Waites, 20, said: "It was exciting seeing a gun on a Tuesday afternoon.
Brian said: Not half as exciting as seeing one on a Wednesday afternoon eh Chloe?
Smoke another one Brian, today is Tuesday.
But didn't the article say that the robber was found to be unarmed? Did he ditch the weapon? Soozie, what do you think?
Mikey, on says...
10:14am Wed 5 Mar 08
Brian wrote:Aisle riply propalley wen I get bak from my adult litterassy clars
Mikey wrote: Chloe Waites, 20, said: "It was exciting seeing a gun on a Tuesday afternoon. Brian said: Not half as exciting as seeing one on a Wednesday afternoon eh Chloe? Smoke another one Brian, today is Tuesday. But didn't the article say that the robber was found to be unarmed? Did he ditch the weapon? Soozie, what do you think?Mikey you should try going to bed early as you haven't got my post at all have you? And If you read the article properly as well you will see that The lovely Chloe was referring to a policeman's gun.
kempers, brighton says...
10:51am Wed 5 Mar 08
Plod, Sussex says...
11:32am Wed 5 Mar 08
sneaky, Brighton says...
11:46am Wed 5 Mar 08
Shami, Brighton says...
5:45pm Wed 5 Mar 08
Heath Herb, Brighton says...
6:47pm Wed 5 Mar 08
Me, says...
10:37pm Wed 5 Mar 08
Leon wrote:you are joking!
I don't care what all the police haters say (I'm not too much of a fan myself) but that woman deserves a medal. Like the guy said - when they're off duty they dont have any protection, but I bet the woman didn't think twice about what she did. Good job. I wish more people were willing to step in when they see something suspicious. Most would just walk on by.
if you made a citizens arrest of this robber, the chances are highly likely that you would also be arrested and charged with assault by the Police.
It's not worth the hassle
Andy, Brighton says...
2:12am Thu 6 Mar 08
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Brian, Hove says...
10:54pm Tue 4 Mar 08
Not half as exciting as seeing one on a Wednesday afternoon eh Chloe? More quality reporting from the Argus