POLICE were left scratching their heads after a bank robber stole £115,000 from a Barkingside bank and returned most of it the following week.

The apparently conscious-stricken crook stole the cash from inside the Barclays hole in the wall ATM machine in the High Street bank overnight between Friday, May 21, and May 22.

Police discovered a smashed window in the cash machine cubicle area, which had been carried out from the inside, and a large quantity of money missing from the cash machine.

But seven days later staff arrived at the bank in the morning and were astonished to find £104,000 of it left in a black bin liner just behind the front door.

Police are now baffled as to why a robber would return the cash and indeed risk being caught doing so.

A Met Police spokeswoman said: "This was a very unusual incident and one which is being fully investigated by detectives. We are appealing for anybody with any information at all to get in touch."

Police believe the culprit may have had a copy of the main front door key because there were no signs of forced entry.

As well as the smashed window in the cubicle area, locks protecting the ATM machine were sheered off.

The investigation is being handled by the burglary and robbery squad at Ilford police.

Police are now interviewing staff on suspicion the burglary was an "inside job". Anyone with information is asked to ring DS Derek Allen or DC Tony Manze at Ilford CID on 8345 2631.

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.