Terrified bank staff fled when a gang of masked thugs tried to rob their workplace.

They ran to a back office when three masked men armed with sledgehammers tried to force their way into the HSBC bank in Denby Dale.

The masked men tried to smash their way in through a window between two cash machines on the outside wall of the bank and several marks from one of the hammers could be seen on the glass.

They eventually forced their way in through a bottom door panel at the premises in Wakefield Road, right in the heart of the village.

They tried to steal cash from a machine which was being filled by the staff but were unable to access it and fled empty handed.

They made off in a black VW Passat Estate driven by a fourth man in the direction of Norman Road.

The vehicle has still not been traced.

Police flooded the scene after the broad-daylight attack as shocked residents saw the bank cordoned off and police vehicles arriving.

Det Insp Andrew Parr, of Kirklees CID, said: “Three masked males attempted to take money from a cash machine in Denby Dale.

“They have smashed the windows with sledgehammers and gained access via a panel to get in.

“Staff have hidden in the building and at no point were they approached or confronted by the suspects.”

Forensics officers could be seen today following the robbery at 9,43am. They were sent in to scour the scene to uncover evidence to be used in the hunt for the suspects.

Det Insp Parr added: “This is a highly unusual incident for an affluent area of Huddersfield and particulalry given the time of day of the offence.

“There were a number of witnesses and we would urge anyone with information to get in touch.

“Similarly, this type of offence is not typically committed by novices and suggests a link to further organised criminal activity.”

Anyone with information should contact Huddersfield Police on 101.

Click here to take you back to more Huddersfield news .

Want to read, watch and hear more? You can download the FREE Examiner Apple App  here , the FREE Examiner Android App  here  or you can view the paper as an e-edition on your Apple, Android or Kindle device by clicking  here

To follow us on Twitter click here