A QUICK-THINKING assistant foiled a Brighton robbery by lowering a security screen and pinning one raider underneath.

Jane Lantsbury pressed the alarm at the Abbey National in London Road when two men leapt over a cash desk. The alarm automatically released security shutters, catching one robber underneath and trapping the second inside the desk area. They eventually broke free and ran off with a bundle of cash, thought to be about £1,000. But the delay gave police precious seconds and officers with a dog handler later captured two suspects. Mrs Lantsbury, a senior customer services assistant, said: "I was in the main banking hall and I saw this man look as if he was about to leap over the counter. When I activated the alarm, the screen came crashing down. One man was still behind the counter, the other trapped under the screen. "The man inside panicked and was running round like a headless chicken trying to find a way out." "Having worked at the building society for so long, I was aware of what to do. I'm quite proud I didn't panic until later on, after it was over!" Apolice spokesman confirmed two men were arrested in connection with the robbery and were being questioned again today.

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