Bank Robber May Be 'Caught Red-Handed'

Staff at a downtown Belfast bank have been threatened by a robber armed with a machete.

The robbery happened at 11.40am on Tuesday at the Northern Bank's premises on Victoria Street.

However, as detectives at Musgrave Street PSNI station probe the incident, it has emerged that the culprit could be marked with a security dye that was activated as he made his escape.

The robber, described as about 20-years-of-age and about 5'8" and slim, with sandy hair, entered the bank and on approaching the counter, pulled a scarf over his face.

He then threatened staff with what appeared to be a machete before demanding cash.

He then reached across the counter and grabbed a large quantity of euro notes (such as pictured) from a drawer, before putting the money in a black bin liner.

Reports say that he then forced a member of the public to walk to the airlock-style door with him, before making off in the direction of Gordon Street.

However, it has also emerged that the money may now be worthless and the robber himself could even be left literally 'red-handed'

During his escape a security dye pellet - which was with the money - is thought to have activated.

This may have caused the indelible dye to be spread through the cash and possibly over the culprit at the same time.

The PSNI later revealed that some of the stolen - now dyed - cash had been recovered during their follow-up to the robbery.

(BMcC)