A GANG of masked men armed with machetes targeted a bank in Ramsbottom last night.

Police were called to Santander in Bolton Street shortly after 7.30pm to reports of the robbery.

Three men were involved, all of whom had their faces covered.

It is reported that a G4S van was at the bank at the time, and was robbed in the incident.

After making off with cash, the men fled the scene in a red Ford Focus.

A video posted on the What’s on in Ramsbottom Facebook group showed the men, one of whom was wearing a high-vis jacket, leaving the bank and driving away in the direction of Holcombe Brook.

It is believed that as the men were driving up Bolton Road West, they crashed into a Land Rover, causing it to crash into a row of parked cars.

The men then fled their vehicles and made off on foot.

No arrests have been made and police say the men are still at large.

There were no reports of serious injuries.

Ramsbottom councillor Robert Hodkinson said he was concerned by the incident: “It is concerning because Ramsbottom is not a place where you would expect this sort of thing to happen.

“I’m relieved that no one was hurt.”

A nearby business owner has also called for ‘proper CCTV’ in the town following the robbery.

He added: “I’m thinking of CCTV. It’s getting stupid now.

“It’s always gone on and that is why all the banks are closed in Ramsbottom.

“There are no police so it’s no wonder they were targeted. We used to bank with Lloyds TSB but they kept getting robbed so they closed.”

Lloyds TSB was forced to close its branch in Bolton Street in 2005 after being the target of three armed raids.

Bosses at the bank say the decision was made due to fears for the future security of the bank.

A Santander spokesman said: “On Tuesday evening shortly after 7.30pm, when the branch was closed, three men attempted a robbery at our Ramsbottom branch.

“No members of the public or branch staff were present at the time and no one was injured in the incident.

“The branch is open for business and we are assisting the police with their inquiries.”

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “Three offenders had entered the bank, taken money, then fled from the scene.

“Inquiries into the full circumstances around this incident are ongoing.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident number 1883 of 03/04/18.”