Second armed raider strikes (From Oxford Mail)

Uzi-toting robber strikes in Headington

6:40am Wednesday 7th January 2009 in News By Matt Wilkinson

A robber armed with an Uzi-style gun is on the loose in Oxford and has been linked to six raids in two weeks, it emerged last night.

The masked robber stole £1,000 from Lloyds TSB bank, in London Road, Headington, at about 5pm on Monday.

Detectives now believe the gunman is behind five other robberies in Headington since December 23.

It is the second series of armed raids to rock the city following attacks by another robber on two buses, a taxi, a bookmakers and two car-jackings during a nine-day spree last month. Police believe the two series of raids are not linked.

DCI Colin Paine, head of priority crime in Oxford, said: “Headington has traditionally had a low level of crime. This crime series is quite exceptional.

“We don’t know why we’ve got a rise in armed crime and it’s a worrying trend for Oxford and very rare up until now.”

The gunman walked into Lloyds TSB at 5.05pm on Monday brandishing an Uzi-style gun which staff believed to be a replica firearm.

When they refused to hand over cash he walked behind the counter and helped himself to £1,000 in notes before escaping on a bicycle.

The bank was recently redesigned to be open plan with no glass screens between cashiers and customers.

The robber was described as white, between 5ft 7in and 5ft 10in, wearing camouflage trousers and a jacket with a grey hooded top. He had his face covered.

His first raid was at bookmaker BetFred, in London Road, on December 23, when he jumped over the counter and stole cash from the till.Six days later he returned and threatened staff with a gun and stole £250 cash.

On the same day police believe he robbed Threshers, in Old High Street, stealing cash and cigarettes.

On Saturday, the robber raided BetFred for a third time after barging through the doors – it is not known how much money was taken.

Police believe the same robber, this time brandishing a knife, threatened staff at Threshers in Old High Street and stole cash on Sunday. Mr Paine said the robber was believed to be local and an opportunist.

Tony Joyce, chairman of the Headington Residents’ Association, said: “In my experience of Headington this is quite a new phenomenon and extremely worrying. This is not something we are used to.”

James Bloice Smith, chairman of Headington Action Group, said: “The police in our area do a good job and we have a lovely peaceful area to live. Where on earth this has come from? It’s shocking.”

Ruth Wilkinson, city councillor for Headington, said: “We are in urgent discussions with police to ensure they are on top of the situation.”

Pc Chris Miles, Headington neighbourhood specialist, said: “It is unusual, we haven’t had anything as serious as this before. We’ve extended our shifts until we catch who is behind this.”

Police are still investigating another armed robber behind six raids in Headington and the surrounding area.

He robbed two buses, a taxi driver, a bookmakers and two motorists in Headington, Summertown, Northway, Wheatley and Stanton St John between December 10 and 19.

Two people have been arrested and bailed in connection with the robberies, but police are still appealing for members of the public to trace a third man. Call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.