A GANG armed with an iron bar attacked a cash van just days after police announced a crackdown on cash in transit thefts.

The gang waited for the van to pull up at a bank in Altrincham, then ran inside the building and stole cash from the guards.

The raiders smashed the windscreen of a video surveillance vehicle with the bar before they escaped.

The driver suffered cuts to his face and the security guards, who had been filling up a cash machine, were left shaken.

Detectives are investigating the raid, which happened at the Abbey National in Stamford New Road at 7.20pm on Wednesday.

Police announced late last week they were launching a major operation to target security van robbers in the run-up to Christmas.

Extra armed officers plus dog handlers, air support, undercover patrols and covert CCTV surveillance are being used to protect deliveries as part of Operation Vanguard.