A suspected armed robber who targeted a bank next to a children's playground in broad daylight is being hunted by police.
It is believed the man walked into a Barclays branch on Vauxhall Bridge Road in Pimlico, central London, before pulling out a gun and demanding cash.
A staff member then handed over a "sum of money" just after 11am on Thursday, Scotland Yard said.
There were no injuries and there have been no arrests, the force added.
A forensics van was parked outside the branch on Thursday afternoon and officers could be seen talking to people inside the neighbouring Lillington Gardens Estate.
The Longmoore Gardens playground directly behind the bank was filled with children playing.
The branch remained closed and staff could be seen inside.
The Metropolitan Police's specialist Flying Squad has been informed.
A spokesman for Barclays Bank told the Standard: “We can confirm that there was an incident at the Barclays branch on Vauxhall Bridge Road today and the branch is closed while the police complete their investigations.
“We apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused.”
