A SECURITY van driver was robbed at gun point after attackers warned if he did not hand over the money he would be shot.The robbery took place outside the Lloyds TSB bank branch in Ipswich's Nacton Road.

A SECURITY van driver was today robbed at gun point after attackers warned if he did not hand over the money he would be shot.

The robbery took place outside the Lloyds TSB bank branch in Nacton Road at about 10.10am when three men held up the Securicor employee, making off with an undisclosed quantity of cash.

Staff from neighbouring shops revealed how they heard a commotion outside on the pavement and saw three men holding the guard and pointing a gun at him.

One eye-witness said: “I heard lots of shouting and when I looked out of the window I could see a gun pointing at the driver's head.

“It was very frightening - I immediately called the police who got up here very quickly.”

The witness said she had heard from another shop worker that the men told the guard if he did not hand over the money, they would shoot him.

Another witness said: “It was all a bit of a blur.

“I was at the front of the shop looking out when I saw it happen, but I couldn't believe what was going on.

“It all took place at the back of the van as soon as the driver had got the money out of the back I think.

“I'm still in shock.”

Detectives were quickly on scene, as police cordoned off the area outside a parade of shops not far from the Golden Hind pub and the Landseer Road mini-roundabout.

Officers remained on scene during the morning while police spoke to witnesses and checked the area.

A police spokeswoman said officers believed two of the three men were carrying handguns in the robbery, although no shots were believed to have been fired.

The men are believed to have fled the scene, running into Nacton Crescent, before making off in a white Ford Sierra.

The ambulance service attended the incident to treat the driver, although a spokesman said he suffered no injuries.

Police have urged anyone with any information to contact Ipswich CID on 01473 613500 or call Crime Stoppers on 0800 555111.