Hammer-wielding gang target security guard outside bank
Hooded robbers threatened a security guard with a hammer and stole a cash box outside a bank near Wolverhampton this afternoon.
The two men targeted the guard outside Barclays Bank in Aston Street, Shifnal at about 12.45pm.
They pulled up in a car and jumped out before running towards the guard and then making off in the vehicle.
Witnesses told of their shock and said they had been left 'traumatised' by what they saw.
A woman who watched the drama unfold with her two sons aged six and nine as she went to withdraw cash, said: "They just pulled up and jumped out and looked like they were going to hit him with the hammer.
"I was really shocked and upset by it but it happened so quickly."
John Keay, owner of Silks cafe, said: "Everyone is traumatised. It's shocking to see something like this happen here."
Det Insp Mark Bellamy of West Mercia Police said: "There has been a robbery outside Barclays Bank. A cash van was outside the bank and a member of staff was threatened with a hammer.
"He dropped a box containing cash and the two men then made off with it. It is not yet known how much money was in the box."
