Taxi driver abducted by passenger and forced to rob bank

Back of Scotland branch where the raid was carried out
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Tom Marshall12 November 2015

A taxi passenger abducted his driver and forced him to rob a bank, police have said.

The man made the driver take him to a branch of the Bank of Scotland in Fife and then forced him to march in with a note demanding money.

Police said the surrounding area including nearby shops and schools was put on lockdown amid fears the man had an explosive.

A cashier handed over a four-figure sum to the driver.

The thief then made off with the money and the cab driver was taken away by police, who called in bomb disposal experts to search the area.

Police Scotland later confirmed no explosives were involved in the incident.

The drama unfolded after the man was picked up by a taxi in The Avenue, Lochgelly, at about 12.40pm on Wednesday.

The pair drove to the Bank of Scotland in Mitchelston Industrial Estate, Kirkcaldy, where the robbery was carried out.

Supt Derek McEwan praised the “bravery” of the taxi driver.

He said: "I would like to offer a reassurance to the public that all actions of the police yesterday were done to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our communities.

"I would also like to praise the courage and bravery of the taxi driver and staff within the Bank of Scotland who remained calm during this entire incident.

"Officers will be in Kirkcaldy and Lochgelly offering further reassurance and carrying out more inquiries today, and will be available to speak to anyone who has any information which could assist our investigation."

Police Scotland said a "major investigation" was underway on Thursday as they appealed for help finding the thief.

He was described as 5ft 6in with a heavy build, and an Eastern European accent.

Officers believe he may have been in another taxi earlier in the day in Lochgelly.

Anyone with information could contact Kirkcaldy CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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