Bank robbery? No I just need some cash

The patrol car came to a halt outside the bank. The officer, radio at his belt, jumped out and stepped purposefully across the double yellow lines. No time to park, but there's no time to lose in a serious situation - and this officer was clearly on a mission.

Shoppers watched warily as he headed towards the bank. Was there an armed hold-up in progress? Would he call for back-up, or was he going to heroically confront the gang himself? If there was something going down, thank God an officer of the law was on hand.

Quickly scanning the street for signs of anything untoward, the policeman reached into his pocket and pulled out... a cashcard, joining the queue at the Abbey National cash machine.

In front of amazed onlookers on Kensington High Street, the officer keyed in his PIN, finished his transaction, and returned to his car to make a getaway - apparently having committed two offences under the Highway Code: parking on double yellow lines, and parking at the corner of a junction.

"Of course, if it was an emergency you would accept it, but he was just getting cash," said an onlooker.

"If anyone else did that they would get a ?50 fine. Just because they administer the law, it does not mean that they are above the law. Police officers are there to set an example and this is unacceptable."

Standard photographer Nigel Howard first spotted the policeman trying to park outside a different bank in Kensington High Street, abandoning the idea when he saw he was too close to a bus stop. Driving round the corner into Campden Hill Road, he made no effort to find a designated space, stopping at the junction on double yellow lines. He walked to Abbey National, and three or four minutes passed before he returned.

"You can see the kerb has been widened and angled at the junction to stop people parking there, yet that's exactly where he stopped," said Mr Howard. "It was

2.45pm on Sunday, a time when everyone is looking for a parking space because they're shopping with the family."

The Highway Code says: "You MUST NOT wait or park where there are restrictions shown by yellow lines." It adds: "DO NOT park your vehicle ... on the road where it would endanger, inconvenience or obstruct ... road users. Do not stop opposite or within 10m (32ft) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space.

"If you disobey these rules you are committing a criminal offence. You may be fined, given penalty points... or be disqualified from driving. In the most serious cases you may be sent to prison."

A Met spokesman said: "In pursuance of their duties officers are exempt from certain traffic regulations. However this would not extend to an abuse of this privilege. We are making inquiries into this alleged incident."