Robbers who threatened security guards at gunpoint outside a Kidderminster building society before escaping with a “substantial” amount of cash were caught on closed circuit television cameras waiting to strike.

The armed raiders, one of whom is thought to have carried a sawn-of shotgun and the other a revolver, had masks on and threatened two Securicor security guards as they were refilling a cash machine shortly before 10pm on Friday at the Nationwide Building Society in Vicar Street.

Although no shots were fired, the gunmen left the security guards shaken but otherwise unhurt.

Police today revealed that the men had escaped with “a substantial” quantity of cash in a dark coloured Ford Focus car, which had been left parked behind T J Hughes department store.

Detective Constable Phil Christie, said that detectives had been studying CCTV video showing  at least three people hanging around.

Police have also appealed to anyone who saw the dark coloured Ford Focus leaving the area to call 08457 444888 or Crimestoppers.