Armed robbery at Shifnal bank

Several police cars and two ambulances rushed to Barclay's Bank in Market Square, Shifnal, after 999 calls reporting the raid.

No staff were injured in the robbery and there has not yet been any confirmation of whether money was taken in the incident.

Daniel Butler of West Mercia Police confirmed the bank had been the focus of an armed raid, and said officers were providing support to staff and people who witnessed the robbery.

He said: "At approximately 3.30pm West Mercia Police received a report of an armed robbery taking place at Barclays Bank on The Square, Shifnal, Shropshire.

"Nobody was injured in the incident and witnesses and staff have been provided initial support by the officers."

Police dogs were also dispatched to the scene.

Raj Dhaliwal, Barclays community banking director for Shropshire said they were in the process of helping police, and would be reviewing CCTV of the raid.

He said: “We can confirm an incident took place at Shifnal branch causing staff members to activate the smoke cloak alarm.

"No members of staff or customers were physically injured and we are currently assisting police with their investigation, including the provision of CCTV footage from the branch.”

Shifnal residents spoke of their shock at the incident.

Mark Blower, 36, of Shifnal Wines, said: "I saw the police arriving with dogs and the armed response unit about 4pm. There was a lot of smoke, but all the commotion was inside the bank. I'm about 50 metres away from the bank. I was in the shop when I heard the alarms sounding and at first I thought it was the fire alarms going off.

"I could see plumes of smoke spewing out. Then 10 minutes later the police arrived then people in the high street were saying that there had been a robbery.

"I saw about four customers come out of the bank looking a bit shell shocked. The police evacuated the bank. They allowed the customers to leave, but the staff were kept in a small cordon away from everyone else."

Shifnal Mayor Robert Harrop said: "It seems this is not the first time that a bank has been targeted.

"It probably is because we are so close to the motorway network which is a blessing and can sometimes be a curse.

"We had a convenience store that was robbed within the last two years. It seems that to criminals Shifnal is a soft target.

"It's a peaceful area where crime rates are very low.

"We're forming a better relationship with West Mercia Police with more visible police presence.

West Mercia Police have asked any witnesses to contact them on 101 referencing incident 470S March 24.