Bank robbers are being hunted after a raid at a bank near Preston.
AdvertisementLancashire Police are appealing for witnesses after two cars were torched during the incident at the HSBC Bank in Station Road, Hesketh Bank.
A group of men drove up to the bank in a silver/grey BMW 5-Series and two of them alighted the vehicle and forced their way into the bank.
One of them, who were all wearing balaclavas, carried a large rock and another a crowbar-type weapon.
Staff were threatened inside the premises and the gang demanded the ATM machine was opened, however staff couldn’t do this and the men fled empty-handed.
Outside the bank a blue BMW 3-series estate, registration HY63 ETK, was waiting.
A third man set this car alight before the three men made their escape in the silver BMW.
This car was then set on fire in Fermor Road and the gang made their escape in an unknown third vehicle.
Detective Inspector Marc Nasser, of Skelmersdale Police, said: “This incident must have been incredibly frightening for the staff who were in the bank at the time.
“However, we would like to reassure the community that incidents like this are rare and an investigation has been launched. We are determined to find those responsible.
“We would now appeal to anybody who can help with our enquiries to get in touch. If anyone has any information about what happened or was in the vicinity at the time and witnessed any suspicious activity, I would urge them to get in touch with us as soon as possible.
“We would also like to thank the public for the number of calls we have already received.”
Police have appealed for anyone with dashcam footage who may have been in the area at the time on Tuesday between 8.45am and 9.15am.
Anybody with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log number 0247 of March 22nd, 2016.