Armed robber dies during raid

A masked armed robber collapsed and died after being disarmed and pinned down by customers in a bookies, police said tonight.

The man, in his 50s, was believed to be wearing a gas mask and holding a gun when he stormed into the Ladbrokes branch on Crownhill Road in Plymouth, Devon, shortly before 7pm.

Customers disarmed the man, Devon and Cornwall Police said, and held him on the floor while others raised the alarm.

Police arrested the man, who was already unconscious, upon arrival but he was declared dead a short time later. The police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), has been informed of the incident.

PA