A GANG of robbers is being hunted by Medway police after threatening staff and customers at a travel agents and making off with at least £12,000.

The gang walked into Thomson Travel in Strood High Street, just after noon on Tuesday.

Detectives have issued an urgent appeal and are asking for the public’s help in tracing the gang.

The three robbers threatened the female staff inside, before locking all four of them, along with four members of the public, a man and three women, in a lavatory upstairs. Within minutes they made their exit via a back entrance.

They took with them around £12,000 worth of mixed currency, police believe, in a black plastic sack. No weapons were used in the robbery and no one was injured.

The three men were all of black-African origin. One had braids, or dreadlocks and one wore a camouflage-patterned scarf over his face during the raid.

Det Con John Coull, who is leading the investigation, has asked anyone with information to contact the police.

He said: “It was a busy time of day and lots of people may have seen these men in the area before the robbery or after they left.

“I’m particularly interested in information about three black men seen with a silver people-carrier in the Station Road, Strood market area of the town."

If you think that you have information, contact the police on 01622 690690 or call Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.