Birmingham bankers left red-faced as armed police swoop on 'bank robbery'

A passing member of the public dialled 999 after witnessing the dramatic scenes through the window of a NatWest branch



Armed police swooped on a city centre bank following reports of a robbery in progress.

The operation was launched, BirminghamLive reports , after staff were spotted cowering under their desks in Birmingham city centre.

A passing member of the public dialled 999 after witnessing the dramatic scenes through the window of a NatWest branch, near St Philip's Cathedral.

Yet when firearms officers arrived at the scene they did not find raiders filling their bags with loot.

Red-faced staff admitted they were hiding under their tables during a game of hide and seek - as part of a team building exercise.

The officers were promptly stood down and the incident was laughed off.