

Tuesday, January 26, 1999 Published at 22:21 GMT





UK



Cardboard cut-out to catch Flat Cap Robber



Staffordshire police show off the cardboard cut out of the Flat Cap Robber



Police hunting the UK's most prolific bank robber have unveiled a life-size cardboard cut-out of the offender in an attempt to catch him.

BBC Crime correspondent Stephen Cape: "The Flat Cap robber is now Britain's most wanted" The raider, dubbed the Flat Cap Robber because of his trademark headgear, has struck 34 times at banks, building societies and estate agencies across the Midlands and the North of England. Although he has only stolen £38,000 he has been branded Britain's most wanted man by detectives on Operation Tornado.

Wanted for more than 30 robberies The operation is being co-ordinated by Staffordshire police, who have produced the cardboard cut-out. Short of stature Detective Inspector Pat Corfield, who is heading the inquiry, says the cut-out will best illustrate the culprit's below average height, which he believes is a major clue to his identity.

The Flat Cap Robber has so far eluded all attempts to capture him Det Insp Corfield says the man, who is thought to be in his 50s, is believed to be around five feet four inches tall. He uses what he says is a gun, concealed in a plastic bag, and although the weapon has never been seen and no shots have been fired he has done enough to "frighten the life" out of numerous cashiers.

The Flat Cap Robber makes his escape Detective Sergeant Dave Chidgey said the robber was believed to have used the same white Ford Sierra as a getaway car in almost all the raids, although he may have since sold it. He said it was probably a J or K reg, possibly an Azura model and had plain steel wheels with no wheel trims and was missing a piece of black plastic trim from the rear of the vehicle, possibly due to an accident. Police, who believe he may also be responsible for a further five robberies, are appealing to anyone who recognises him to contact them on 01785 234952. These are the attacks for which he is definitely to blame, and unless mentioned the targets were building societies: 4 Dec 1995: Attempted robber at Coalville, Leicestershire (bank)



4 Dec 1995: Robbery at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leics



13 Dec 1995: Robbery at Keighley, West Yorkshire



16 Sep 1996: Attempted robbery at Nantwich, Cheshire



17 Sep 1996: Robbery at Coalville



17 Sep 1996: Robbery at Rugeley, Staffordshire



25 Nov 1996: Attempted robbery at Congleton, Cheshire



26 Nov 1996: Robbery at Uttoxeter, Staffs



10 Dec 1996: Robbery at Whitchurch, Shropshire



30 Jan 1997: Attempted robbery at Matlock, Derbyshire



10 Mar 1997: Robbery at Alfreton, Derbyshire



18 Mar 1997: Robbery at Belper, Derbyshire



4 Apr 1997: Robbery at Alsager, Cheshire



19 May 1997: Robbery at Caernarfon, Gwynedd



29 May 1997: Robbery at Rugeley



7 Jul 1997: Robbery at Abergele, Conwy



30 Jul 1997: Two attempted robberies in Uttoxeter



31 Jul 1997: Robbery at Hazel Grove, Greater Manchester



15 Sep 1997: Robbery at Cannock, Staffs (estate agency)



27 Oct 1997: Robbery at Oswestry, Shropshire



11 Dec 1997: Robbery at Handforth, Cheshire



17 Dec 1997: Robbery at Coalville



17 Dec 1997: Robbery at Swadlincote, Derbyshire



23 Feb 1998: Robbery at Leamington Spa, Warwickshire



26 Mar 1998: Robbery at Ormskirk, Lancashire



7 Apr 1998: Robbery at Newark, Nottinghamshire



12 May 1998: Robbery at Huddersfield, W Yorks



28 May 1998: Attempted robbery at Grantham, Lincolnshire



29 May 1998: Attempted robbery at Loughborough, Leics



29 May 1998: Robbery at Hucknall, Notts



17 Jun 1998: Robbery at Skipton, North Yorkshire

17 Jun 1998: Robbery at Colne, Lancs







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