A MANHUNT is underway for armed robbers who attacked a G4S security van in Dudley town centre.

The raid happened at around 10 am today (Thursday February 6) outside Barclays Bank on High Street.

Three men approached the driver of the van, who resisted attempts to take the cash delivery box despite the men being armed with an axe.

The men fled empty-handed and sped off in a white van, a power saw fell from the back of the van as the gang drove away through Stone Street.

A town centre businessman, who did not wish to be identified, said: “It happened very quickly, we heard a bang and a clatter which must have been the saw falling out then saw a white flash as the van went past.

“It is one of those things, you don’t like to see it happening at work.”

The security van driver suffered a minor hand injury during the incident and the getaway van was found abandoned nearby.

The area around the bank remained sealed off while police launched an investigation.

Inspector Julie Mason, from Dudley Police, said: "An investigation has been launched into this morning’s attempted robbery and we are keen to hear from anyone who would have been in the area at the time.

"Dudley High Street is bound to have been busy and people will no doubt have seen these men arriving at the scene and fleeing the area after failing in their attempts to grab the cash box. Thankfully no one was seriously hurt.

"We urge those people to contact us as we launch our enquiries into the incident."

Anyone with information that could help the police investigation is asked to call Force CID at Harborne Police Station by ringing 101 or call the confidential Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.