21.12.04
BOBBY SANDS
BBC
Millions stolen in bank raid
It is understood two employees of the bank were held captive
Raiders have stolen millions of pounds in cash from a bank in Belfast.
The precise amount of money taken from the Northern Bank is not yet known but the bank said it was "significant".
It is understood two employees of the bank and their families were held captive before the robbery took place.
It happened at the bank's headquarters in Donegall Square West in the city.
It is believed it could be one of the biggest cash robberies in the UK.
No figure has been put on the amount stolen, but speculation has varied from between £20m and £30m.
Police were first alerted to the robbery at about 2345 GMT on Monday.
It is believed members of the gang took over the homes of senior officials from the bank.
The building houses the bank's cash centre, where tens of millions of pounds are believed to have been stored.
It is traditionally one of the busiest shopping weeks in the run-up to Christmas and large amounts of cash would have come in from businesses in the city.
The centre also takes in newly printed notes, sorts and distributes them.
Investigation
A police team headed by Assistant Chief Constable Sam Kinkaid was immediately called in. Its officers specialise in investigating serious and organised crime.
Detectives and uniformed officers are at the bank as the investigation continues.
In a statement on Tuesday, the bank said: "A theft has occurred at Northern Bank in Belfast, a wholly-owned subsidiary of National Australia Bank.
"The theft is being investigated by the police in Northern Ireland and we cannot discuss details at this stage.
"However, initial indications are that affected staff are safe - this is our number one priority."
Earlier this month, the Northern Bank and the National Irish Bank were sold to Denmark's biggest bank, Danske.
The Northern Bank has 95 branches and 30% of the market in Northern Ireland.
BBC
Millions stolen in bank raid
It is understood two employees of the bank were held captive
Raiders have stolen millions of pounds in cash from a bank in Belfast.
The precise amount of money taken from the Northern Bank is not yet known but the bank said it was "significant".
It is understood two employees of the bank and their families were held captive before the robbery took place.
It happened at the bank's headquarters in Donegall Square West in the city.
It is believed it could be one of the biggest cash robberies in the UK.
No figure has been put on the amount stolen, but speculation has varied from between £20m and £30m.
Police were first alerted to the robbery at about 2345 GMT on Monday.
It is believed members of the gang took over the homes of senior officials from the bank.
The building houses the bank's cash centre, where tens of millions of pounds are believed to have been stored.
It is traditionally one of the busiest shopping weeks in the run-up to Christmas and large amounts of cash would have come in from businesses in the city.
The centre also takes in newly printed notes, sorts and distributes them.
Investigation
A police team headed by Assistant Chief Constable Sam Kinkaid was immediately called in. Its officers specialise in investigating serious and organised crime.
Detectives and uniformed officers are at the bank as the investigation continues.
In a statement on Tuesday, the bank said: "A theft has occurred at Northern Bank in Belfast, a wholly-owned subsidiary of National Australia Bank.
"The theft is being investigated by the police in Northern Ireland and we cannot discuss details at this stage.
"However, initial indications are that affected staff are safe - this is our number one priority."
Earlier this month, the Northern Bank and the National Irish Bank were sold to Denmark's biggest bank, Danske.
The Northern Bank has 95 branches and 30% of the market in Northern Ireland.
