Saffron restaurant targeted by armed raiders

Armed robbers raided an Indian restaurant in Sandwell, escaping with a haul of cash.

Three masked men stormed award-winning Saffron in Wolverhampton Road, Oldbury, at 11.50 last night.

Detectives from West Midlands Police are now looking over CCTV footage of the robbery.

Police spokeswoman Pav Shergill said: "Three black men wearing hooded tops and masks entered the premises through the back door.

"One of the offenders threatened a worker with what is believed to be a small hand gun, before making off with a quantity of cash. No-one was injured.

"Specialist trained officers carried out a search of the area with police dogs last night. It is suspected the men got away in a vehicle parked nearby."

She said police were trawling through CCTV footage today and conducting house-to-house inquiries.

There were no signs of life at the restaurant today and its security gates were padlocked shut. It is not yet known how much cash the gang escaped with.

Saffron was named the best restaurant in the West Midlands in the Good Food Guide in April.

Its executive chef Sudha Shankar Saha also starred on Channel 4's Iron Chef UK programme in May.

No-one from the restaurant was available for comment. Witnesses can call the police on 0345 113 5000.