MAN HELD OVER FATAL 'BANK RAID'

A man has been arrested after two suspected robbers were shot and killed during an alleged bank raid.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating the shootings in Hampshire.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad were lying in wait outside an HSBC branch in Bournemouth Road, Chandler's Ford near Southampton.

One man died at the scene, the other in hospital. A man was later arrested in Raynes Park, south-west London.

Police believe a gang was targeting a Securicor security van outside the bank.

Scotland Yard has so far refused to comment on witness claims that a third robber made a getaway from the scene of the shooting.

Chandlers Ford is a rural town and you certainly do not expect this kind of thing to happen

Lynn Ward, eyewitness

Police said: "The object of the operation was to prevent and apprehend those believed to be involved in an attempted armed robbery of a premises in Chandler's Ford.

"At approx 1005 [BST] shots were fired and two men were shot.

"One was pronounced dead at the scene, the other was taken to a local hospital but died at approximately midday. No officers were injured in the incident."

Officers have been trying to trace a blue Volvo estate, with the registration OY05 WDU.

Deborah Glass, from the IPCC, said a loaded firearm had already been recovered and would be forensically tested.

'Chaos'

"I heard a loud bang ring out and initially thought it must be a traffic accident," witness Lynn Ward said.

"But when I looked out of the window I saw a security van and two people on the floor with armed police stood over them.

"It was chaos and there was lots of shouting and screaming.

"It was then I realised it must have been gunshots.

"Chandler's Ford is a rural town and you certainly do not expect this kind of thing to happen. We are all very shocked."

No officers or bystanders were hurt in the operation, police said.


SOURCE: BBC