Residents and workers in a Shropshire street today described their horror after witnessing a bank robbery carried out in broad daylight.

See also: Staff terror in bank raid

The incident happened shortly before 9.30am in Mount Pleasant Road, Shrewsbury. The Lloyds TSB bank had its windows smashed and the robbers threatened staff in the building before fleeing the scene in a people carrier-style vehicle. 

Police, who immediately began searching the residential area for signs of the raiders, said it was not yet known how much money they managed to get away with.

Forensic officers and the force helicopter were also drafted in to assist in the investigation. Mount Pleasant resident Stan Edwards, 65, said he was just backing the car off the drive this morning when “all hell broke loose”.

He said: “I parked my car back on the drive and I saw a car drive up Sandford Avenue, which is a stupid thing to do because it is blocked off at the top.

“I sat on the wall and watched what happened but I couldn’t do anything.”

Sharon Holloway, a shop assistant at the Tasty Loaf Bakery on the same row of shops as the bank, said: “About 9.30am I heard a loud bang and I came to the window, I saw a black people carrier-type car speeding off down the road. 

“It was quite frightening and quite a shock, especially when we found out what actually did happen.

“The police were here quite quickly and have been here ever since.”

Resident Rodger Wallis said he had never seen so many police cars. 

About six police cars remained at the scene today as the search for the robbers continued.

“They have got some guts to do this in broad daylight,” Mr Wallis said.

He added that Mount Pleasant was usually a quiet neighbourhood and that residents had never seen anything like this before.

Resident Cyril Adams, who was watching the search being carried out by police officers, also said he had heard a bang this morning, a little earlier just after 9am.

He said: “I came out to see what it was, the police were already there and they had blocked the street off.

“I have lived here for 15 years and have never seen anything like this before.”

By Rachael Lowe