Great Barr bank cash raid suspects on camera

Thieves have stolen £440 from a woman during a theft at a Great Barr bank.

The cash was taken while a woman was distracted by other matters at a branch of Lloyds TSB in Walsall Road. Police have now issued CCTV footage of two men they wish to speak with about the theft.

The incident happened on October 28 at about 2.35pm. The footage appears to show two men working together to steal the money with one acting as a lookout, while the other calmly picks up the money and leaves the bank.

Both men are white and appear to be aged 16-24 years. One has a very short hairstyle and was wearing a dark-coloured coat. The second man was wearing a pale grey-coloured hooded top.

Pc Emily Wray, from the criminal investigation team, said: "The cash was left unattended for less than a minute, but in this time, two men appear to have taken the money."

Anyone who recognises either of the men should call Pc Ray on 0345 113 5000 or anonymously, callCrimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The incident comes just days after undercover police announced they would also be patrolling Wolverhampton city centre targeting pickpockets preying on Christmas shoppers. The city centre has seen a number of thefts in recent weeks, including a pensioner having her purse stolen while shopping in the city's Mander Centre, last Wednesday.

And a mother making her way through Hampton Walk, off Queen Square, had her purse taken after leaving her handbag on her child's pushchair. On November 25, £100 was also stolen from a victim's coat in St George's Parade.

Uniformed officers will also be stepping up patrols and handing out crime prevention advice at Bentley Bridge Retail Park.

Last month shoppers in Lichfield were also urged to safeguard handbags after a woman had her debit card stolen from her handbag in Waitrose car park.