Bank robber foiled by window cleaner who spots fake gun

A window cleaner, who was in a "bad mood", disarmed a bank robber and chased him down the street in south London - and held him there until police arrived.

James Rowley was at Lloyds Bank in Coulsdon when Andrew Fernandez suddenly burst in and waved a gun at the cashier.

But James Rowley spotted that the gun was fake, and chased him out the branch. Speaking to the Evening Standard, he said:

"I was in a bad mood. I'd been dashing around all morning like a headless chicken trying to get the cheques and money together to pay the bills."

James Rowley added: "I was at the counter and I saw this guy walk in with a crash helmet on. I just thought 'here we go'. I knew what was going to happen next and I wasn't in the mood for it."

Watch the CCTV in full below:

James Rowley was presented with a Commendation for his actions by Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley. He was also given £1,200 from the sheriff's fund for his bravery.

47-year-old Andrew Fernandez was jailed for life for the attempted armed robbery in November last year.