A balaclava-clad armed robber escaped in Coulsdon last week, after holding a handgun to a security guard's head and seizing an undisclosed amount of cash.

The lone gunman robbed a Securicor van making a delivery to Barclays Bank, Brighton Road, at 11.20am on Wednesday, (February 27).

The security guard was just entering the bank when the robber approached from behind, and threatened him with a pistol to the back of his head.

The guard handed over the case and the robber, described as white, made off in a stolen Volkswagen Golf that was later found abandoned less than a mile away.

Croydon police think a member of the public may have followed the suspect by car and would like to hear from them.

A spokesman said: "It's fairly busy in Coulsdon at that time of day, so we are hoping plenty of witnesses will come forward."

Anyone with information should call DC Florio at the Flying Squad on 020 7407 6319.