Avon and Somerset Police have praised an 88-year-old former officer who tried to foil a pair of bank robbers armed only with his walking stick.
Second World War veteran Gordon King, who lives in the city, had been walking along Moorland Road on Wednesday morning when he saw the duo attack a security van driver outside the Lloyds TSB bank.
The great-grandfather-of-two sprung into action and, without a thought for his own personal safety, ran over to confront the men and try to stop them getting away with the box of money.
Mr King, who was a police officer in Bath and Bristol for 29 years, said: “I had come up to go the shop to get a washing up bowl. I was talking to some people so that held me up for a few minutes. But then I was coming to cross the road (Crandale Road) and the security van pulled up by the bank.
“My first thought was that it wasn’t very good security only having one man. Then something made me look again and I realised what was happening. I got my stick and gave him a whack. Then I gave him a few more whacks and broke my stick over his head. I would’ve laid him out, but then this other guy came over and pushed me down in the road.”
Mr King’s aluminium collapsible walking stick was broken in the incident and he was left with a bump to his head, which needed hospital treatment.
The robbers managed to escape and police recovered an abandoned stolen car with false number plates in a nearby street.
Mr King said his policing instinct kicked in when he saw the crime taking place and that he would do exactly the same thing again.
He said: “It was instinct. I just knew what was happening. I thought you don’t see people in balaclavas unless something is wrong. I jumped straight in and didn’t think twice. Afterwards I did think to myself that they could’ve had a knife or a gun. But I would absolutely do it again.
“I may be 88 but I am still fit and strong. I do all my own gardening. After all that effort I just hope the police catch them.”
Det Chief Insp David Gill, who is leading the investigation, praised Mr King for his public-spirited actions.
He said: “From our point of view there is a bit of a mixed message because we don’t want to say to people ‘don’t get involved’ but in this situation Mr King should be highly commended for what he did. I think both his family and the citizens of Bath would be amazed at what has gone on.
“He certainly acted on instinct with no fear for his own safety and took steps to stop that crime taking place. Unfortunately on this occasion the two people got away. But it is great that Mr King is still in one piece and as lively as he is today.”
Police are appealing for witnesses who may have been in the area at the time of the robbery, which took place around 11.15am on Wednesday, or who saw the black Mercedes with false registration plates, Y840 NGW, beforehand.
There was also a white Transit-style van travelling behind the Mercedes, which could be linked to the crime or whose driver could be a key witness.
The car was abandoned on Maybrick Road and people may have seen two men running away from it and getting into another vehicle.
One of the men is described as white, and was wearing a balaclava, while the other was black and wearing a beanie hat.
Police believe they are part of an organised gang who carry out attacks across the country.
Anyone able to help is asked to contact police at Bath on 101.
