POLICE are hunting armed gunmen who struck as Securicor staff were re-filling a cash machine at a building society. The robbers are said to have stolen a “substantial amount” of cash.

The robbery happened inside the Nationwide Building Society in High Street, Strood, near Rochester.

The robbers, who were wearing balaclavas, brandished a sawn-off shot gun and threatened two Securicor staff, who were refilling the machine at about 12.50am on Thursday.

No shots were fired and no one was injured but Securicor staff were left shaken by their ordeal.

The robbers made off in a silver-coloured car, thought to be a VW Golf, or a model very similar, which had been parked nearby in the car park next to the branch. The car sped off via Station Road.

Det Insp John Coull, who is leading the investigation, is appealing to anyone with information to contact him.

Anyone who has information is asked to contact Kent Police on 01622 690690 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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