KEY POINTS:
Police are searching for a man after a Westpac bank was robbed today.
Detective Senior Sergeant Ross Levy says there were about 15 people in the bank at the time, which included customers and staff but no one was hurt.
The man, who was carrying a weapon, demanded money from a teller after entering the bank in Jackson Street, Petone, around 9.35am.
Police said they were looking for a Caucasian wearing blue jeans, dark trainers, a black top with a 3/4 length zip down the front and a black backpack.
He had on a black baseball-type cap with a white rim with a logo on the front. A dark scarf was covering his face and he was wearing black gloves.
Police are also interested in an area on the corner of Cuba Street and The Esplanade where a man was seen changing clothes shortly afterwards.
Anyone with information should contact the Lower Hutt Police on 04 560 2600.
Witness, Cassie McTavish was sitting at a cafe across the road on Jackson Street when she saw all the customers file from the bank.
She said about 10 people were escorted out by police, followed by uniformed bank staff.
Ms McTavish said she saw five to six marked police cars attend the scene, which was now surrounded by police tape.
Retail store The Carpenter's Daughter is opposite the bank.
Manager Suzanne Hunt said she "looked up and noticed something wasn't normal".
Ms Hunt said she saw a white ute leave the scene. She also saw a man "take off" on foot.
- NZPA, NZHERALD STAFF
