“This time he robbed a bank in Stepney, East London. He was last seen going towards Bethnal Green on a mobility scooter. If anyone encounters this notorious criminal, you must report his whereabouts to the Met Police immediately, but do not try to apprehend him yourself. He is extremely dangerous,” DCI Hibbleswaide, told Crimewatch UK last night.

Ronald Arthur “Ronnie” Biggs is best known for his role in the Great Train Robbery of 1963, for his escape from prison in 1965, for living as a fugitive for 36 years and for his various publicity stunts while in exile. In 2001, he voluntarily returned to Britain and spent several years in prison, where his health rapidly declined. On 6 August 2009, Biggs was released from prison on compassionate grounds. He was assumed to be ‘harmless’ by the authorities until yesterday when he robbed another bank.

Witnesses at the HSBC branch in Stepney said they saw Mr. Biggs, 81, rush into the bank at speeds of upto 2 mph whilst still on his mobility scooter. He then proceeded to tell all the cashiers and customers to get on the floor face down or get a “good whacking from my stick.”

“He came in like a bat out of hell. He had a wooden stick and he started to wave this thing around as if it was a tennis racket, so we got down sharpish. The cashiers handed over the money and he was gone in a flash. He smashed through one of the doors on the way out with his little scooter,” Jane Dibbner, 37, one of the terrified witnesses recalled.

HSBC bank has declined to reveal the amount of cash that was stolen, but some say it could be in the thousands.

Underworld sources have revealed that Mr. Biggs has been itching for one last heist before he pops his clogs.