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news
Metropolitan Police.jpgLondon police seek armed robber who fired shots as he made his escape by bike
The Metropolitan Police are hunting for an armed robber who had been frustrated in his attempted raid on a betting shop – then fired shots as he made his getaway on a bicycle.
According to the London Evening Standard, the man tried to rob the Holborn branch of Ladbrokes at around 8.30am this morning.
He is said to have threatened staff with a gun as he told them to open the shop’s safe.
But when they told him they had no means of doing so, he ran to neighbouring Lincoln’s Inn Fields where he got an a bike to make his escape.
As he did so, two shots were fired – by accident, police believe.
Inspector Andrew Henthorn commented: “The man was told by staff that they could not open the safe and so he ran out.
“He jumped on a bicycle and headed off down Lincoln’s Inn Fields.
“The shots were heard there and so we have sealed off the area and are searching for clues.”
Police were reported to be unclear whether the shots fired were live rounds, but confirmed that the gun was not being aimed at anyone at the time.
Paralegal George Porter, who works in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, told the newspaper: “We are really shocked that this has happened here in rush hour. It is lucky no one was hurt.
“A colleague heard the shots — it is not exactly what you expect on a Monday morning.”
Police say that the suspect is black and was wearing a balaclava as well as a blue or black hooded anorak, and anyone who has information is asked to call the charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
We regularly come across stories of thieves using bicycles for their getaway, suited as they are to being able to move quickly through an urban setting in places police cars can’t get to.
Two years ago, we reported how a Freedom of Information request by the BBC had even uncovered three instances of Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme bikes being used by muggers to make their escape.
If nothing else, the fact that a Boris Bike can be seen as a viable getaway vehicle is testament to the changing nature of transport choices in London since the scheme's introduction more than three years ago although it is doubtful whether the Mayor or Transport for London will view this latest incident as an endorsement of their ongoing 'cycling revolution'.
Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.
Latest Comments
- Rendel Harris 3 min 47 sec ago
I've put those on Mrs H's bike and keep meaning to put them on mine as well, they are really effective because not only can drivers see you clearly...
- quiff 4 min 42 sec ago
Move the bikes repeatedly - solves the problem, but at your inconvenience. Chop them up - gets the operator's attention and they might do something...
- Doug_D 14 min 47 sec ago
Another book suggestion - I can highly recommend "Lost Summers and Half-Forgotten Afternoons: A Mint Sauce collection" - a beautifully presented...
- chrisonabike 36 min 21 sec ago
Neighbourhood: you can't change anything because we have a disabled resident! Also driving children to schools! People power!...
- chrisonabike 1 hour 27 min ago
But... the last is only not the case with drivers on normal roads because driving on the cycle path / footway / rolling a vehicle up there is seen...
- mdavidford 2 hours 5 min ago
I think you're missing an opportunity to pack even more tech into it - add accelerometers that can detect whether they're pedalling or stepping....
- chrisonabike 2 hours 30 min ago
Thanks. I guess the question is "need". If the road is busy, it sounds like it is a desired route between places? In which case (given this an...
- mdavidford 2 hours 38 min ago
Don't know what you mean. I thought my suggestion was entirely practical.
- Rapha Nadal 3 hours 12 min ago
I'd buy a motorbike fo rthat kind of money!
Add new comment
22 comments
ironic that cycling is becoming such an effective method of transportation that even criminals are using it
There might be an upside.
if motorists start to fear that cyclists might be "packing heat" they might start to show more respect.
Felon is cearly a muppet anyway - I worked in a betting shop as a student and the amount of cash around on a Saturday afternoon was amazing. By Monday morning of course its all in the bank.
Mind you, given the price of a decent road bike these days I do have some sympathy with seeking alternative sources of funding...
Boris bikes as getaway vehicles? Are you sure they weren't ram raiding?
Is this the moment that the rest of the (albeit criminal in this instance) world realises that for convenience and speed, you cant beat a bike !
That makes it a cycling story !!
It's a police witness appeal. Among other things, we have a good few site users who commute into Central London and who may have noticed someone wearing a balaclava while pedalling furiously, as it were.
Sounds like he might get a furious cycling charge to go with the others then?
Thanks for providing the editorial context for the story.
And on that note - not sure how many N Ireland riders there are in here but anyway:
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/nov/05/bmx-new-ira-murder-northe...
This isn't cycling news and the story shouldn't be on this site.
Actually that's my choice not yours
Is that called customer service?
Indeed it is your choice, and as a consumer I'm pointing out that it's not worth reading on this occasion. It's not a cycling story.
Well as a consumer I'm pointing out that it was worth reading and is a cycling story.
It can't be easy trying to run a newspaper that pleases absolutely everyone at all times. Why don't you give it a go, fatty?
No, you're getting it all wrong, Road.cc know that we're all a bunch of red-light jumping criminal Londoners, and that's why this story is posted.
Nice try but we don't rat on our mates, fools.
PS, was he wearing tights and top or bib-shorts? I'm having difficulty deciding which one of my mates done this.
Couldn't the police find him on strava and see where his segment finishes or is my lack of familiarity with bike GPS websites and bank robberies showing through here?
We need some CCTV here. Would love it if it turns out he was wearing high vis, cleats and buff before climbing on his Pinarello. What? Hoodie and BMX? Oh, so not really cycling news then?!
Would I be right in thinking that car websites run stories like this every time armed robbers make their escape on 4 wheels?
Unless of course his court cases are driving a certain Texan to take extreme measures...!
Because funny, it is funny, young Jedi. High with this one, the level of fail is. On dual shocks and his knees hitting his chin 120 times a minute, my money is. Herh herh herh.
Guys - come on. Does Runner's World do stories on every person who flees a crime scene on foot?
Slow news day?
Was he wearing Rapha? If so I hope they throw the book at the walking faux pas.
Was he seen jumping any red lights? Shocking.