‘I don’t know, but when I opened my eyes I saw three masked men getting into a car, which drove off. I’m sorry I didn’t manage to stop the robbery, sir.’

Kingston put his hand on the officer’s shoulder.

‘You’ve nothing to be sorry about, son. What you did was very brave. On the positive side, you’re not dead and can still go to Corfu with your girlfriend.’

The officer smiled and wiped the tears from his face. Kingston said he would need him to make a written statement before he went on holiday. The officer said he lived at Lea Bridge Road section house and wasn’t going on holiday until Saturday morning. Kingston told him he’d get a Flying Squad officer to take the statement from him on Friday morning at the section house.

‘I need to speak to some other witnesses. You take care and have a good holiday,’ Kingston said, then he stepped out of the ambulance.

The Colonel stayed behind to speak to the young officer.

‘Let me give you a bit of advice, son. While I admire your bravery, what you did was stupid. If that gun had been loaded with lead pellets it could have gone off when you tackled the suspect and members of the public may have been injured or killed. The money they stole is immaterial and not worth dying for – so next time think twice before putting your life and other people’s on the line.’

The officer’s lower lip trembled as he acknowledged the advice he’d been given. The Colonel got his wallet out and tucked a five-pound note into the officer’s trouser pocket.

‘That should get you pissed tonight and numb the pain. Make sure you get a doctor’s sick certificate, then you won’t have to use annual leave for your holiday.’ He winked.

The Colonel joined Kingston by the steps of the bank, where he was speaking to the Senior SOCO, who had just arrived. They knew each other of old and Kingston told him about the robbery and what he knew so far. The SOCO said that on the face of it there weren’t many forensic opportunities at the bank scene, as the men wore gloves, and would no doubt dispose of their donkey jackets and overalls, but he’d do his best.

‘I’ll seize the outer clothing from the officer who got shot – there should be a cross-transference of fibres as he struggled with one of the robbers. Have you got someone doing exhibits who I can give the items I seize?’ the SOCO asked.

‘Yeah, WDS Tennison. She’s a bit wet behind the ears when it comes to robbery scenes as she just started with us today,’ Kingston told him.

The SOCO was taken aback. ‘A woman on the Flying Squad? My God, this integration thing is getting out of hand.’