A WINDOW cleaner has described how he chased two robbers as they fled on a scooter after snatching cash from a security guard outside a Hampshire bank.

Graham Gore-Thorne was among half a dozen have-a-go heroes who tried to stop the pair who escaped with what is thought to be around £25,000.

One robber wrenched a cash box away from the guard as he arrived to make a delivery in a busy High Street.

He then jumped on to the back of his accomplice’s scooter as a group of bystanders chased him.

The robbers sped off up Mansfield Road towards the A31 dual carriageway, removing the money and throwing the box away.

Staff were inside the Lloyds TSB bank and lots of shoppers were already in Ringwood High Street yesterday morning when the raid happened.

Graham said: “I was walking down the road when I noticed a scooter with its headlights on.

“I heard a commotion and somebody shouted and this man outside the bank grabbed a case from the security guard. “He jumped on the back of the scooter and as he got on, he opened the case up and took the money out.

“Then he threw the case on the floor.”

The Black Honda SH300 scooter-style motorbike they used was later found abandoned at Narrow Lane in nearby Poulner, near the slip road on to the eastbound side of the A31.

Witnesses said the robbers wore dark clothing and police believe the pair travelled from outside the area to commit the robbery.

A Hampshire police spokesman said no one was hurt in the incident but “bank staff and the guard were left shocked by what happened”.

A G4S spokesman confirmed the courier was not seriously injured, but was shaken by the attack.

He said he has been offered counselling and management is on hand to support him.

“The psychological impact that attacks of this nature can have on individuals should not be underestimated,” he said.

Staff at Lloyds told the Echo they heard a lot of shouting when the robbery happened outside.

Chris Patterson, of nearby W Patterson Butchers in High Street, said he saw the robbers flee past the security guard’s van. He said: “The case came flying out open into the street when they left.

“Someone from Lloyds told me they got £25,000.

“The guys at the bank said those cash cases just pop open and they were gone in seconds.” n Police are appealing for witnesses to the robbery, which took place at around 9am.

Anyone with information should call Lyndhurst CID on 101 or or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.