Armed bank raid linked to others

An armed robber has stolen about £1,000 from a bank in Headington, Oxfordshire, police have said.

The man ran behind the counter of a branch of Lloyds Bank on London Road and demanded money. He stole the money and escaped on a bicycle.

Police are linking this robbery to four others which took place nearby over the past eight days.

They described the offender as white. He was wearing camouflage trousers, a hooded top and had his face covered.

No-one was injured in the incident.

Det Insp Simon Morton, who is leading the investigation, said the offender was carrying a white Uzi-type gun, which the staff did not believe was genuine.

He said: "I would like to reassure the public that we have got a team of detectives working on this series of armed robberies to identify the person responsible."

Two armed robberies took place at the Betfred betting shop on London Road on 29 December and 3 January and two others at Threshers wine merchant in Old High Street on 29 December and 4 January.

Police are also investigating a separate series of six armed robberies that have taken place in and around Oxford.

They are appealing for anyone with any information to come forward.