A bank inside the European Parliament building in Brussels has been robbed at gunpoint. Yes, *inside* the European Parliament building. The robber in question is still on the run – possibly hiding in the EP itself.

Nothing much from the news media yet, so how do we know? Thanks to this tweet from Tony Robinson, Head of Press and Communications for the European Parliament Socialist Group, who followed up with a photo of the search.

Police checking everyone leaving the European Parliament after armed robbery at bank branch. 10,000 people a day visit the EP in Brussels. about 1 hour ago from web

Police checking everyone leaving the European Parliament after armed robbery at bank branch. 10,000 people a day visit the EP in Brussels. about 1 hour ago from web

Robinson’s Twitter coverage in full so far, from here (rearranged into chronological order):

Armed Robbery at I N G bank in european parliament. police hunting for suspect. about 1 hour ago from txt

http://www.twitpic.com/1g6a8 37 minutes ago from web

EP bank robber had wig, makeup and a gun. The robber’s coat were found two floors up. Security cameras were not focussed on the bank door. 33 minutes ago from web

Mikhail Gorbachev was attending a conference in the EP today but reported to have left before the armed robbery. 31 minutes ago from web

Robber reported to have threatened bank staff with a gun before making off with cash. 29 minutes ago from web

Journalists complained about tight European Commission security at midday briefing today. EP less strict, they said. Then the robber struck 23 minutes ago from web

European Voice have got a short report up now, so we have confirmation.

I don’t remember EP security being *that* bad last time I was there. But it is a vast, sprawling complex… Still, I wonder what the response will be? Over-reaction or measured?

And more importantly, how big must that robber’s balls have been? Try that at Westminster, you’d likely end up shot…

Update: And now, about an hour and 20 minutes after Robinson’s tweet, more details via EU Observer.