A GANG of masked bank robbers are being hunted by police following an attack on a cash delivery man.

Four men wearing balaclavas struck as a G4S van arrived outside a bank in Acomb, York, at about 9.45am today.

They assaulted the driver as he tried to deliver cash to the local HSBC branch and then fled from the scene in a black Vauxhall Zafira.

The Northern Echo: A burnt out car found off Beckfield Lane.

The car was abandoned at the junction with Celtic Close and Jorvic Close near Beckfield Lane a short time later and set on fire. The cash box was found dumped in Carr Lane.

A woman who witnessed the attack said: "I was just coming home from shopping at Tesco and had just got out of the car when I heard shouts from behind me, someone shouting "get down, get down" very loudly.

“I turned round and saw the security guard on the floor at this point.

"There were four youths jumping into a black car. The four were all dressed in black with black masks. The car sped off - it all happened in seconds.

"I ran straight into the house to call the police and before I came off the phone the police had arrived on the scene."

Another witness said: "There was a group of about four men beating down the security guard and they came running out with a box of money, got in a black car and sped away through Acomb. But I didn't see any faces because they were covered."

The van driver was reported to be shocked but uninjured and no weapons were used in the incident.

Polices are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident, saw the black Zafira travelling between York Road and Beckfield Lane or anyone running away from the vehicle to contact them as soon as possible.

Contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers,anonymously, on 0800 555111.