Robber 'stole thousands of pounds from bank and got away in a taxi parked outside'

Police are searching for the man who reportedly involved an unwitting taxi driver in the robbery

Royal Bank of Scotland in St John's Road, Edinburgh, where a man alleged stole thousands of pounds and got away in a taxi waiting outside (Google Maps)

A bank robber who stole thousands of pounds after a raid in Edinburgh reportedly got away in a taxi he had asked to wait outside.

The incident took place at a branch of Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) on St John’s Road, in the west of the city, at 9:30am, BBC News reported.

After allegedly threatening a member of staff, the man stashed the money he demanded into an orange plastic bag.

He allegedly then got into a black taxi, which drove west.

Officers believe that the taxi driver was unwittingly involved in the alleged robbery, and there is nothing to suggest he or she was an accomplice.

They added that no weapons were used or seen by members of staff or customers.

Police Scotland has urged witness to come forward.

The man has been described as white, in his late 20s to early 30s, 6ft 4ins tall and was wearing a black beanie hat, dark-coloured waist-length jacket and brown trousers.

Detective Inspector Rory Hamilton, of Police Scotland, said: “We believe the male may have arrived and departed from the scene in the same black cab and we are in the process of speaking to the city's taxi companies as part of our investigation.

"Any drivers who believe they may have taken this man to and from the bank is also asked to get in touch."