Armed bandit subdued by customer

A customer at a Gold Coast service station has disarmed a metal bar-wielding bandit and detained him until police arrived and charged him.

Police say the 23-year-old allegedly threatened a staffer at the Southport business on Thursday evening with his weapon and demanded cigarettes and cash.

But a customer took his weapon and pinned him on the floor of the shop until police arrived and charged the alleged thief armed robbery, police said on Friday.

No one was hurt.

The accused armed robber is due to front Southport Magistrate Court on September 5.