RAIDERS attacked a security guard outside a bank in East London in a daylight robbery today (Wednesday). Three masked men ambushed the guard while he was carrying cash between his van and the Natwest branch in Roman Road, Bethnal Green, at 11.30am. He tried to cling onto his cashbox, but was kicked and punched.

By Michael Parker

RAIDERS attacked a security guard outside a bank in East London in a daylight robbery today (Wednesday).

Three masked men ambushed the guard while he was carrying cash between his van and the Natwest branch in Roman Road, Bethnal Green, at 11.30am.

Eye-witnesses saw him trying to cling onto his cashbox, while being kicked and punched.

Next door newsagent Selvaratnam Thushyanthan told the East London Advertiser: "He was struggling and put up a fight.

"But they beat him down. He didn't want to give up the money."

The raiders escaped as onlookers just stood there.

"Why didn't one of them help?" added Mr Selvaratnam.

"There were so many people in the street.

"I was on my own in the shop, but if my colleague who used to be in the army had been here, he would have taken them down."

Police Flying Squad officers arrived just minutes after the raiders fled.

The security guard, though battered and shaken, was not seriously hurt.

michael.parker@archant.co.uk