A SECURITY guard was robbed in the early hours of this morning as he was delivering money to a High Wycombe bank.

The robbery took place at around 1.30am outside Santander bank, formerly The Abbey, on the corner of Corporation Street and High Street.

The guard was delivering money to the bank when a man approached him, threatened him and grabbed the cash box.

The man then ran off on foot along Corporation Street.

Paul Scott, who lives in the High Street near the bank, said he heard shouting at around the same time of the robbery.

He said: “About 1.30am I was just pottering around on my laptop uploading pictures, when I heard a lot of shouting and bawling from outside.

“I didn't really think anything about it because living in the town, you hear lots of drunks shouting, but I definitely heard “give it to me” very loud and clear.

“A little while later a load of police cars arrived and taped off the front of the bank.

“I shouted down and asked what had happened and the police officer said the van had been robbed – and they were at the bank until at least 2.30am.”

Investigating Officer, Det Insp Kev Mahon, said: “There were a few people around at this time in the morning who might have seen the man running away from the scene.

“He might have been in the area before the robbery happened, or later been seen getting into a vehicle which could have been parked nearby and I am asking anyone who has any information, no matter how insignificant they believe it to be, to get in touch.

“Fortunately the security guard wasn’t injured by the robbery but has been left distressed and shaken.

“I would like to reassure residents that I have a team of detectives working on this investigation to ensure that we catch whoever is responsible and I urge anyone who might have been in the area of Corporation Street, or the High Street and seen any suspicious activity, to contact the police immediately.”

Santander spokesman Louisa Dreja said: “We can confirm that an incident took place in the early hours of this morning at our High Wycombe Branch.

"At this stage we have no further comment, but we are cooperating with the police to fully investigate the matter.”

Anyone with any information about the incident should contact Det Insp Kev Mahon at High Wycombe police station via 0845 8 505 505, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.