Masked robbers steal cashbox in 'menacing' Barclays raid

[dutchman]

The robbery took place outside the Barclays branch on the corner of Fletchamstead Highway and Tile Hill Lane



Masked robbers attacked security guards outside a branch of Barclays bank in Coventry this morning and stole a cash box before making their escape in a car, thought to be a dark coloured Ford.

The robbery took place outside the Barclays branch on the corner of Fletchamstead Highway and Tile Hill Lane shortly before 11.45am.

The area was busy with shoppers at the time and witnesses included a mum with her young children.

Police said they were alerted to the robbery at 11.45am and dispatched both uniformed and plain-clothes officers to the scene.

The banks was closed in the aftermath of the attack.

The robbers fled in what police said they believed to be a dark blue Ford car, which was later found abandoned in the Radford area.

The security guards worked for G4S and Gareth Skinner, head of operational risk for G4S Cash Solutions, said: “One of our team was the victim of a menacing attack in broad daylight this morning outside a Barclays bank in Coventry.

“Fortunately he was not injured, but we strongly condemn those responsible and are working with West Midlands Police to see that they are brought to justice.”

The owner of Costcutter in Tile Hill Lane, opposite the bank, said: “My colleague was here. I only came in at 12 and saw a big police presence.

“He said he heard sirens and when he went out saw all the police cars.

“But it is a busy road and you get a lot of police cars and sirens and we would not necessarily think it was anything different.”

[dutchman]

Man charged over Barclays armed bank robbery

A man has been charged and remanded in custody following an armed robbery at a bank in Coventry.

Jonathan Copson, 36, of no fixed address, was arrested on May 9 in connection with a robbery at the Fletchamstead Highway branch of Barclays on April 26 .

He was subsequently charged with robbery, aggravated theft of a motor vehicle, possession of an offensive weapon and driving offences.

Copson appeared at Coventry Magistrates Court on Thursday May 10 and was remanded in custody until his next court appearance.

[dutchman]

Robber threatened guard with "fearsome" axe during £25,000 bank raid



A robber who threatened a security guard at a Coventry bank with an axe and stole £25,000 has been jailed for more than a decade.

Jonathan Copson was one of four men who masterminded the daring raid at a branch of Barclays which saw a cashbox stolen and later ripped open.

The getaway car was photographed by a member of the public which helped lead officers to an address in the city and the weapon, balaclavas and other items were found inside.

CCTV from around the property also led to Copson - who has spent much of his life behind bars - being identified and the 36-year-old was eventually arrested and charged.

He pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of an offensive weapon and was jailed today at Warwick Crown Court for 13-and-a-half years.

Copson denied a further charge of aggravated vehicle taking, which was accepted by the prosecution, and that charge was dropped.

No other arrests have been made and Copson has refused to give police any more information.

Jailing Copson, Judge Peter Cooke told him the offence was a "grave one" and involved the use of a "fearsome bladed weapon".

He said: “You and your accomplices set out to steal a great deal of money and, indeed, managed to do just that.”

The judge also added that Copson's involvement in the robbery “wasn’t a very shrewd investment of your time and effort”.