The Northern Bank heist marks one of the largest cash thefts in British history, occurring in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was a meticulously orchestrated crime involving a gang of robbers who managed to steal £26.5 million from the bank's headquarters located at Donegall Square West. The operation was noted for its level of planning and execution, as the thieves used a combination of subterfuge and force. They initially kidnapped two bank officials, holding them hostage to gain access to the bank's cash storage area.

The robbery took place over a single night and utilized various techniques that undermined the bank's security infrastructure, exposing vulnerabilities that had previously gone unnoticed. The robbers' swift and efficient tactics demonstrated a high level of coordination and sophistication. Following the crime, extensive investigations began, including inquiries into the methods used by the gang, but the majority of the stolen money remained unrecovered for years.

The aftermath of the heist led to urgent discussions concerning the effectiveness of security measures in banks across Northern Ireland. It also resulted in an increase in security protocols within financial institutions to prevent similar occurrences. Additionally, the robbery fed into the larger narrative of crime in Northern Ireland, particularly regarding the evolution of organized crime in the region as the troubles began to wane, affecting public perception and policy.