Staff terror in bank raid

Robbers burst into a Shrewsbury bank today and made off with cash after threatening terrified staff.

The raiders – possibly armed with a gun – smashed their way in to Lloyds TSB bank, in Mount Pleasant Road, shortly before 9.30am as the morning's cash delivery was being made. The robbers, believed to be four men, were seen getting into a people carrier before fleeing the scene.

Peter Shemar, the owner of Shemar Newsagents on the same row of shops as Lloyds, said he heard big bangs as the offenders were smashing the windows of the bank.

He said: "Everybody was ringing the police. By the time I opened the door I saw them running out and the car drove off.

"They were covered from head to toe in black. It is scary for all of us. It is like something out of the movies."

Armed police and forensic officers were today searching the area for the offenders after Mount Pleasant Road was closed off to the public.

The police helicopter was scrambled to assist and police dog handlers were also sent to the scene.

Chief Inspector Sarah Chaloner, of Shrewsbury Police, said: "There is some suggestion of a gun being presented but I cannot confirm that."

Maria Hawkaluk, spokeswoman for West Mercia police, said: "There was a cash delivery being made at the time but it is not known how much the offenders have got away with. The offenders made off in a dark-coloured people carrier."

Anyone with any information or who may have seen anything suspicious is asked to contact Shrewsbury Police on 08457 444888 as a matter of urgency.

The robbery comes just weeks after masked robbers raided the Dawley branch of Lloyds TSB in Telford.

It happened at the same time as today's robbery and saw a Volkswagen Golf pull up outside the bank and three men wearing balaclavas jump out and hurl a concrete slab through the bank window.

The men then grabbed bags and boxes of cash from staff who were filling up the cash machine.

By Rhea Parsons

nextpage A gang of about four men raided the Lloyds TSB bank in Mount Pleasant Road, Shrewsbury, shortly before 9.30am nextpage Police search for clues

The bank door is sealed off