The moment the axeman stormed in

Masked men armed with axes and sledgehammers raided Santander on Clifton Street, Lytham, as guards from G4S were delivered cash to the bank at around 8.20pm on Tuesday, November 26.

The raiders stole cash before speeding off in a silver Ford Focus, which was later recovered on Talbot Road, near to the junction with Norfolk Road.

Police have now released a CCTV image of one of the men entering the bank - which was also raided by a gang in March - armed with an axe.

Det Sgt Mark Dickinson said: “I would urge anybody who witnessed the robbery or saw anything suspicious in the Clifton Street area in the days leading up to it to come forward.

“Any amount of information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, could be crucial to this investigation and I would urge people to come forward with anything they think could be relevant.”

Detectives believe the men switched to a Vauxhall Corsa after abandoning the Ford Focus on Talbot Road.

Det Sgt Mark Dickinson added: “We believe the second vehicle may have been a silver or grey Vauxhall Corsa. We also believe this car may have been abandoned in Lytham, St Annes or Blackpool and may be displaying a registration plate beginning FL03.

“I would appeal to anybody who may have seen the men abandoning the Focus or getting into the Corsa to come forward. I would also ask people to remain vigilant and contact us if they see a grey or silver Corsa which appears out of place.”

The guards were uninjured but shaken.

Anybody with any information can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org

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