ARMED robbers who left bank staff terrified when they smashed their way in are still on the run three weeks after the raid.

Police have now issued an urgent new appeal for anyone who witnessed the robbery at the Royal Bank of Scotland, in Lee Lane, Horwich, or who has any information about the incident, to contact them.

The three or four-strong gang, armed with a claw hammer, broke into the rear of an empty Ladbrokes betting shop next to the bank, via an alleyway running along the back of the shops at about 9.20am on Tuesday, March 27.

The gang, who were all wearing balaclavas, smashed a hole through an inside wall and into the bank.

They demanded cash from the three terrified bank employees before fleeing the way they had come in, with a small amount of money.

They were all dressed in dark clothing and spoke with Manchester accents.

Det Con Phil Warburton, from Bolton CID, said: “There were a number of staff in the bank who have been left shaken by these thieves and I am appealing to the public to help to identify them.

“They did not think twice about threatening innocent people. Thankfully no one was injured during the incident.

“We are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen three or four men running away from the area or witnessed anything suspicious to contact us as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information should call Bolton CID on 0161 856 2161 with any information or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.