Kent hotel evacuated after armed robbery and bomb threat
Stock photo, Hythe: Getty
A hotel in Kent had to be evacuated after a man brandishing a gun burst in and claimed there was a bomb on the site.
The man, thought to be from Ilfracombe and aged between 55 and 70 years old, threatened a staff member at the Hythe Imperial Hotel near Folkestone, claiming he was a police officer and asking to see the manager.
He is then alleged to have brandished a handgun before demanding a large amount of money and telling staff there was a bomb in the hotel.
The hotel was then evacuated and the army's bomb disposal squad was called as a precaution.
Officers carried out a thorough search of the premises, but no explosives were found.
Detective Inspector Emma Banks told the North Devon Gazette: "We would appeal to anyone in the Ilfracombe area to look at the CCTV images and see if they recognise the man.
"We only know that he has told a witness that he originates from Ilfracombe, we do not know if he has lived there recently or only as a young person."
Anyone who knows the man or has information about his whereabouts is asked to ring Kent Police on 101, quoting ZY/28750/12 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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