Police step up hunt as 'Christmas robber' strikes twice in month

THE "Christmas robber" who has held up the Tottenham Court Road branch of Lloyds TSB three years running has struck again only a few weeks after his latest raid.

Police believe he could be collecting cash to pay for Christmas because two robberies have taken place just before December. However, detectives say he has broken the pattern by striking twice in four weeks.

On each occasion the suspect follows the same routine. He queued up with other customers before approaching a cashier and informing them quietly he had a gun and asking them to empty the till.

Police said he had lost a lot of weight since his first raid.

"It is important that we catch this man because these attacks may be escalating and he says he has a gun," Dc David Reed of the Finchley Flying Squad said.

The cashier who was held up last week recognised the robber as the same man who robbed him in 2006. He is described as white, of medium build, about 5ft 9in tall, aged 30 to 40, with shoulder-length hair and angular features. Witnesses described his accent as mid-American.

Anyone with information should call Dc Reed on 020 8358 1751 or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.