Sydenham traders need more visible policing, says barber after gun-toting robbers raid bank next door on Valentine’s Day

By Regina Motalib, Local Democracy Reporter

A Barber in Sydenham has called out for a more visible police presence after the Lloyds Bank branch next door to his salon was targeted by armed robbers.

Paris Musaj from Paris Barbers recalls he was enjoying a friendly chat about Valentine’s day whilst cutting his client’s hair when police cars turned up outside his shop.

Paris said: “I was cutting my client’s hair ready for a day which is meant to be about love when I suddenly heard some commotion, I looked up and noticed some police cars pulling up outside.”

The Sydenham branch of Lloyds Bank was due to be closed indefinitely a few days after the incident happened.

According to witnesses who were in the vicinity, two men brandishing a gun walked into the bank and threatened the staff to hand over money.

Police arrived after the two assailants had fled and placed a cordon around the bank. It is not known how much money was stolen.

Mary who lives in Sydenham and didn’t want to give her full name explained how she and her friend were unable to get to the bank.

She said: “The police blocked the bank off and my neighbours told me there had been an armed robbery.

It’s terrifying to think this happened in broad daylight during half term when lots of families with children were walking along the high street.”

Salon owner, Paris believes the police cordon was in place for a few hours.

He explained: “It seems the robbers got away. The police came in to talk to me but did not disclose the details of exactly what had happened.

Thankfully my store was not directly affected as the police cordon started just after my salon.”

The barber expressed his concern about the safety of his own business and the need for more police on the streets.

He said: “My shop has been broken into twice since I opened in Dec 2020.

I don’t feel very safe here as a small business owner.

I installed shutters but even that has been vandalised.

There are not enough police on the streets – the only way businesses and our customers would feel safer is if we had a better police presence.”

Debra Williams, 62, was a regular customer of the branch.

She expressed her dismay and horror after hearing about the incident.

She said: “It is such an awful thing to happen. The staff are so friendly and polite. They always went out of their way to help me.

I felt quite devastated when I found out the branch was closing down and even more so after hearing about this terrible crime.

One of the staff told me he was going to retire after the branch closed.

I sincerely hope they are all ok. They did not deserve this!”

A Met spokesman said: “Police were called at around 11:30hrs on Monday, 14 February, to an armed robbery at the Lloyds Bank in Sydenham Road, SE26.

The two male suspects made off prior to the arrival of police. One of the males was in possession of a gun.

There has been no arrest. A Met investigation is ongoing, led by detectives from the Flying Squad.”

Any witnesses who have yet to speak with police or anyone with information is asked to call 101 ref 2480/14feb.