Man shot in station robbery

A have-a-go-hero is in a serious condition after being shot by robbers as he tried to help a female security guard.

The 24-year-old rail commuter, who has not been named, was shot in the chest with a handgun after intervening in the incident at Rayleigh, Essex.

Detective Superintendent Michael Field, of the British Transport Police, described the man's actions as "heroic".

Robbers attacked a female security guard as she loaded a cash machine at Rayleigh railway station at about 7.15am when the area would have been busy with commuters.

Mr Field said: "We believe the young man was attempting to stop the robbery. He has been taken to hospital where he has undergone surgery. His current condition is serious but stable.

"It was very heroic, but we don't know exactly what he did yet. We are waiting to see if he is going to be OK. His parents have been informed and they are with him in hospital."

Mr Field said the men, who escaped with a substantial sum of money, were "reckless, very dangerous and appear not to have any regard for human life".

Police said the robbers, who wore scarves covering their faces, escaped in a white Escort van, found discarded less than a mile away soon after.

Witnesses reported seeing them get into a large saloon car, but police do not have a detailed description of offenders.

Mr Field said it was not known how many robbers were involved in the attack.

He said the female security guard had not been seriously harmed in the incident and was unable to confirm if she had given first aid to the injured man, who lives locally. The male driver of the security van had not been harmed, he said.

Incidents such as this were almost unheard of in the area, he added.

Police said they had located several key witnesses and their investigation was currently focused on the Essex area, although it could be expanded.

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