A cash reward is on offer to anyone who can help police snare armed men who held up a security guard outside a bank.

Detectives made the revelation as they began a stop-check operation three weeks to the day the robbery took place outside Lloyds TSB on Colchester's St John's estate.

Investigators hope £5,000 will encourage informants to provide fresh leads, helping them track down three men involved in the robbery which took place in a car park in St Christopher Road.

Detectives, police and PCSOs were yesterday stopping shoppers at a parade of shops where the robbery took place at about 10.20am on July 3.

They are keen to find out where one of the robbers was before he carried out the raid.

Detectives say he cycled to the scene before pulling a gun and firing a shot into the ground.

Police have now confirmed a black Alfa Romeo car, thought to have been used in the hold up, was stolen from the London area. They are still keen to trace a white Suzuki van being driven by another man which is thought to have been used as a getaway car.

  • Anyone with information is asked to contact Colchester CID on 01206 762212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
  • More in tomorrow's Gazette