SCORES of Winchester people could hold vital information to a gang of robbers who raided a city bank.

Detectives believe the gang spent some time in the city centre before they struck at the Bristol and West branch on the corner of High Street and Jewry Street at 4.10pm on Monday.

They snatched cash from the tills and fled in a blue BMW 316i parked in St Peter Street. Police tracked it up the M3 to Hook, where it crashed. The robbers fled on foot and are still at large.

Det Sgt Rachel Farrell said: "Winchester was very busy; there were lots of people and lots of vehicles. This group were quite distinctive and in Winchester for 12 to 15 minutes. They must have been seen by a lot of people."

DS Farrell said the group walked up St George's Street and Jewry Street and hung about near the bank before striking. They fled down High Street and down the alley by Russell and Bromley.

She is keen to speak to the driver of a white van with the word diamond written on the back which was parked in St Peter Street, near the getaway car. DS Farrell said the robbers almost got into another BMW.

As they drove up the M3 at speeds of up to 100mph they threw clothing out of the window.

DS Farrell said: "They were totally reckless with a disregard for the safety of the public. We are disappointed that they weren't detained at the scene but are just grateful there were no serious injuries to anyone."

She paid tribute to quick-thinking beat officer Pc Garry Leigh, who helped identify the getaway car within seconds of the alarm being raised.

"We are confident that we will have a number of witnesses and forensic potential. We are confident we will secure a result."

Some members of the gang are believed to be black. They were wearing hoods or scarves wrap-ped round their faces.

They were in their late teens or early twenties. One was over six feet tall. They were all dressed in casual baggy clothing.

One wore a light jacket with black trousers and black shoes; a second wore a black hooded jacket, tracksuit trousers with a white stripe on the sides; another wore a dark-coloured jacket, black trousers and white shoes; a fourth wore a dark jacket with white writing on the back, with grey and white shoes.

Anyone with information should call 0845 045 4545.