TRADERS in Cowley Road spoke of their shock after two robbers attacked a security guard and stole cash bound for a bank.

The pair targeted the guard who was delivering money to the NatWest bank at 3pm on Tuesday.

The bank refused to comment but it is believed the container held tens of thousands of pounds.

Tallat Mahmood, owner of U Play Electronics, said: “We’ve been here on Cowley Road 12 years and there’s always something different going on so you learn not to be too surprised.

“But to do that in the middle of the day, it seems a bit opportunist. My first thought was ‘do they seriously think they will get away with it?’”

Age UK Oxfordshire worker Jane Probets added: “People are shocked, they can’t believe it was in the middle of the day. You would have to think it was not thought through because you hear of the boxes being marked.”

Police are currently reviewing CCTV taken from the O2 Academy Oxford across the road.

The bank was closed while police investigated, but was open for business as usual yesterday.

An appeal for witnesses has been renewed. One of the robbers was wearing a high visibility vest, the other dressed entirely in black.

Both were described as black, and about 6ft tall. Call 101 with information.