DETECTIVES have renewed their appeal for information following an armed robbery at the Nat West Bank in Rainham High Street on Wednesday morning and issued a CCTV image of the offender.

Armed officers were called to the bank following reports that a man wearing a balaclava had followed a Securicor guard carrying a box of money into the bank.

The guard was threatened with a handgun before he relinquished the box of mixed currency cash.

The offender left the bank and drove off in a Black Mazda RX8 car. Shortly afterwards a box containing all the money was found nearby in Marshall Road.

Det Insp John Coull, who is leading the investigation, said: “We need the public’s help in locating the Mazda car that the man in the picture used to make his getaway. It is a distinctive ‘coupe-type’ vehicle that you may well have seen being driven fast, or it may be parked in your street. If so we would like to hear from you.

“The man shown in the picture attempted to open the cash box and, as a result, could well have red dye on his clothing or hands.

“If you think you know who he is or have seen the car, please give Kent Police a call on 01622 690690 or call Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 free and in confidence”.