By Danielle NuttallCrime correspondentDETECTIVES are hunting four robbers who burst into a town centre building society and demanded cash.The robbery happened at the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society in Leiston shortly before 1.

By Danielle Nuttall

Crime correspondent

DETECTIVES are hunting four robbers who burst into a town centre building society and demanded cash.

The robbery happened at the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society in Leiston shortly before 1.20pm yesterday.

Three of the gang jumped over the counter of the High Street premises and demanded money, while a fourth man stood by the door. They took an undisclosed sum of cash and fled towards Sizewell Road.

No weapons were seen during the robbery and no-one in the building society was injured, although staff were said by police to have been shaken by the incident.

A spokeswoman for the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society said yesterday: “At approximately 1.15pm this afternoon three men robbed Norwich and Peterborough Building Society's branch in Leiston.

“The society's policy is not to hold large amounts of money on the premises. We have good security systems inside the branch, which include closed circuit television, and we are working closely with the police to trace these people.”

She added: “Staff are currently helping police with descriptions of the raiders. It is important to stress that no-one was physically injured.

“The three members of staff were obviously shocked by the incident and will be offered counselling. The branch was closed during the afternoon and will reopen as normal tomorrow.”

The first robber was described as black, aged between 20 and 30, about 5ft 5in tall, of large build, with stubble on his face and very short, black, Afro hair with gaps.

The second gang member was described as black, 5ft 5in tall, with a black Afro hairstyle and a moustache, while his accomplice was described as black, of stocky build and of similar height.

Police said the trio had been wearing hooded tops with the hood up, while the fourth man had worn a similar top with the hood down and a baseball cap. All four are also believed to have been wearing purple rubber gloves.

Detectives appealed for anyone who may have seen the men in the area to contact them.

Officers would also like to hear from the occupants of a silver car seen going past the building society from the Sizewell Road direction at about the time of the robbery.

Anyone with information should contact Suffolk police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

danielle.nuttall@eadt.co.uk