THREE cash boxes believed to have been stolen in an armed bank raid were spotted by a member of the public.

Police believe the boxes were stolen during the robbery of a Group 4 Securicor van which was delivering cash to the Abbey bank in Banbury Road, Summertown in Oxford at about 5.30am on Tuesday.

A member of the public found the three empty cash boxes on a grass embankment on the southern bypass between Sainsburys supermarket and Rose Hill estate yesterday afternoon.

Forensic teams are dealing with the cash boxes and specialist teams are conducting a fingertip search of the area below the footbridge.

Acting Det Insp Kevin Elkins, of Oxford CID, said: "Have you been in the Heyford Hill area in the last few days? Did you see anyone acting suspiciously - in Rose Hill, around the nearby Sainsbury's supermarket or along the bypass?

"Did you see a vehicle parked up on the road? If you have any information, please call me."

Police are continuing to search for the four robbers who were all masked and brandishing handguns.

Anyone with information should contact police on 08458 505505 or speak anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.