Armed police shot out the tyre of a suspected getaway car in broad daylight before arresting six men in connection with an alleged bank robbery in the Black Country.

Two raiders armed with baseball bats threatened staff at the Co-operative Bank on High Street, West Bromwich, at 9.25am on Saturday, before fleeing with an unknown quantity of cash in a waiting car.

Staff were uninjured but left “shaken”, officers said.

After searching the scene, armed officers traced a red Renault car to High Street, near to its junction with Florence Road. They believe it was involved in the robbery.

When suspects failed to stop, a firearms officer shot one of the car’s tyres. Witness reported hearing a “loud bang”. More than a dozen armed officers then descended on the car, arresting four men at around 11am.

Witnesses said one of the men was arrested inside the Newsstop newsagents. Three other men were arrested on the pavement after armed officers told them to lie down on the ground while they were handcuffed. A further two men were arrested in London.

Five of the men have since been released on bail pending further inquiries. A sixth man arrested has been recalled to prison.