Gang flee after raid bid fails at garage

Three masked men used a crowbar to try and smash their way into a petrol station in Tipton, police said today.

The gang tried to hit the window of the till point at the Asda petrol station in Great Bridge.

But they failed to smash the glass and fled empty-handed on a quad bike.

Police officers went to the petrol station, in Brickhouse Lane, after an alarm was activated at 8.20pm Friday.

Borough neighbourhoods boss, Councillor Derek Rowley said: "These sorts of incidents are very rare in Tipton, but it is a worrying situation quite frankly."

Detectives are appealing for anyone with information to contact them at Sandwell Police by calling 101.

The attempted raid comes after a Dudley petrol station was targeted last month.

In February, hammer-wielding robbers on a scrambler motorbike injured a security van driver as they snatched a cash box from him at the Total garage in Sedgley Road, Woodsetton.