POLICE rushed to the scene of a bank raid where a masked robber made off with a four-figure sum of cash.

By the time police units arrived at the Barclays branch, in Broadway North, Pitsea, the suspect had already fled.

The raid took place at about 11.10am on Friday.

Speaking at the scene, Detective Sergeant Mike Wilkinson, from Basildon CID, said: “There has been a robbery at Barclays Bank.

“One male entered the bank and verbally threatened staff. The man demanded money and made off with a substantial quantity of cash, thought to be in the thousands. 

“There is no indication that a weapon was used.

“He is suspected to have come from the Pitsea Market direction.”

The bank, which has glass screens in place, closed while forensic examination of the scene was carried out. 

A spokesman for the bank confirmed a raid had happened at the Pitsea branch, but she was unable to say what had taken place. 

She added: “We will be co-operating with the police as they continue their investigations.”

The suspect was described as white, about 5ft 11ins tall and of slim build. 
He wore jeans with white trainers, a blue hooded top, a patterned scarf concealing his mouth and black gloves and is suspected to have run off in the direction of Pitsea police station.

Mr Wilkinson added: “The staff were all very shaken up but no one was hurt.
“There was one female customer in the bank at the time who left before we arrived and police are keen to speak to her.”

Arun Sreedhar, who works at Cellar Plus, next door to Barclays, said: “The first we knew something had happened was when the police turned up.

“They came in here to have a look at our CCTV but that was it.

“I didn’t see anything but it is a relief they were unarmed.
“It doesn’t really worry me because if a robber comes in you just give them the cash and hopefully don’t get hurt.”

Kevin Blake, deputy leader of Basildon Council and resident in Pitsea, said: “Any robbery is terrible.

“I know from my job that most crimes like this take place during the day so that isn’t particularly surprising.

“This is the first time I’ve heard of an incident happening in Pitsea for donkeys’ years so I’m hoping it is just an unfortunate one off.”

Anyone with information is asked to call officers at Basildon CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.