On Wednesday, 9th January, a white male entered the Harrow branch of Bradford & Bingley Plc. and on approaching the counter produced a handgun.  Cash was taken from the till positions and the raider then demanded that a third female cashier open her till and hand over the money.

In accordance with company policy to keep staff safe this was duly done, but as the robber left the branch he was totally unaware that two dye-packs were contained in the stolen cash.

Dye-packs are designed to activate when the suspect is a considerable distance from the raided premises and that is exactly what happened.  As the Bradford & Bingley raider made his escape, the Smokenotes released clouds of bright red smoke and he was arrested by local police.  The stolen cash, two dye-packs and weapon were all recovered.

Dave Roberts, Bradford & Bingley Security Manager, said, “Branch security is taken very seriously by Bradford & Bingley, particularly where staff and customer safety is concerned.  Obviously, we would prefer that robberies did not happen at our branches, but when they do we need systems in place that will help the police detect and convict those responsible.  Dye-packs provide an instant visual detection tool, as well as making the cash worthless and offering the police subsequent forensic opportunities.”

Following police interviews the man admitted the Harrow robbery and raiding four additional Bradford & Bingley branches within Southeast England.  He also admitted committing a number of robberies at other High Street banks and building societies.

IBP-Group Sales Director, Neil Chrismas, was delighted that their till security devices had helped in the arrest of this prolific armed criminal, and said, “No one wants robberies to occur in the first place, but it is very satisfying to know that when they do happen dye-packs can, and do, help the police detect the people who commit these violent crimes.”