Bomb Alert Follows CIT Robbery

A security alert is ongoing and a Cash-in-Transit driver is recovering after being robbed of a cash box in Co Antrim this morning.

It happened at the Northern Bank in Mallusk at around 9am this morning with three men, one of whom was armed with a handgun, holding up the security man.

He was not injured, but left shaken as the gang made their escape with a cash box containing a substantial amount of money.

The police are now investigating the incident and have described the gunman as about 6' tall, of slim build and wearing a workman's florescent vest at the time.

A vehicle - thought to have been used in the getaway - has been found between Highpark and Hightown Roads.

The area has been closed to traffic as the security operation continues with the Army investigating the vehicle in case of booby traps.

The vehicle is a red Skoda Felicia and the PSNI have asked anyone who saw the robbery or witnessed the car being abandoned to contact them as soon as possible.

Local politician, the DUP's Nigel Hamilton said there are too many people willing to make "an easy buck".

Condemning the robbery, and the attack on the guard, he said that people doing their job shouldn't have to suffer such an experience and appealed for anyone with information to pass it to the police right away.

(BMcC/GK)