DETECTIVES are hunting a pair of armed robbers who threatened a security guard with a shotgun in broad daylight in Clacton yesterday.

Roddy Ashworth

DETECTIVES are hunting a pair of armed robbers who threatened a security guard with a shotgun in broad daylight in Clacton yesterday.

The guard was delivering a large amount of cash to the HSBC bank in Station Road when he was approached by two men outside the nearby job centre at around 10.30am.

The guard was forced to hand over a “substantial” amount of money in the cash box.

Police said it was possible the robbers may have arrived at the scene in a blue van and appealed for any witnesses to contact them.

No-one was injured and no shots were fired during the robbery.

A spokesman for security company G4S said the guard was threatened while a colleague was in a security van nearby.

“The crew of one of our vehicles was threatened during a violent incident in Station Road, Clacton on Sea, at 10:32am.

“Neither of our couriers was injured,” he said.

“We take any attack on our staff very seriously and are committed to maintaining their safety and that of the general public.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “We would like to speak with anybody who may have seen a blue van in the area before the robbery or making off from the scene.

“We would also like to speak to anyone who saw anybody acting suspiciously in the area in the days leading up to the raid.

“This type of robbery is, regrettably, not uncommon, and we need the public's help to find these people.

“We need to trace them before they strike again.

“Even though a firearm was apparently used in this robbery, fortunately nobody was hurt.

“However, any incident involving such a weapon could have tragic, and even fatal, consequences.”

A spokeswoman for HSBC said she could not discuss the robbery.

“We are unable to comment at the moment as there is currently a police investigation underway,” she said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact CID at Clacton on 0300 333 4444.