Masked raiders terror for petrol station staff

A petrol station in Great Barr was held up by a gang of masked men who raided tills and a safe.

The Total petrol station on Hamstead Road was targeted by a gang of four men wearing balaclavas.

Terrified staff in the petrol station shop locked themselves in a back room as the men pocketed cash, before being driven away in a black BMW.

The gang entered the shop at 10.10am yesterday and were inside the garage for just minutes, according to eyewitnesses.

One witness, who has lived opposite the petrol station for more than 25 years and asked not to be named, said: "I was doing my washing up when I saw a hooded man in the garage on the wrong side of the counter.

"He was moving quickly and searching for something.

"There was another taller man in a hood too. I saw them run out the shop and get into a car parked outside."

An ambulance was called to the scene following the robbery.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said it could not give any details about the casualty, as the matter is a police incident.

However, it confirmed someone was taken by ambulance to a local hospital from the garage following a call at 10.13am yesterday.

The black BMW sped off in a southerly direction down Hamstead Road, towards the Hamstead Industrial Estate.

The shop was closed until shortly before 3pm as police investigations were carried out.

Officers do not believe the men were carrying weapons.