Britain's biggest robber killed in police shootout

The Italian mastermind of Britain's biggest robbery has been killed in a shootout with police on a country road, officials said.

The body of Valerio Viccei was dumped on the road in Teramo, 100 miles east of Rome, from a car that sped away, police said. One accomplice was later captured and another was being sought. A policeman was wounded.

Police said they had responded to gunfire from the car.

Viccei was convicted in connection with a safety deposit heist in London in 1987. Police estimated the stolen property worth between £30m and £60m was looted - the exact amount would never be known because criminals were among those renting the 121 looted deposit boxes.

He was sentenced to 22 years in prison for his part in the robbery and five earlier ones.

He was later transferred to Italy to serve out his sentence, but was released on licence four years ago.