Security guards robbed of cash outside Hampshire building society
Robbers have held up security guards at a cash machine outside a building society in Hampshire.
Two security guards, who were not injured in the incident, were targeted outside the Nationwide in West Street, Fareham, on Tuesday night, police said.
The robbers forced the guards to the floor while they smashed through the window of the building society.
Police said they were keeping an "open mind" over possible links to previous robberies in Havant and Chandlers Ford.
A section of the shopping area has been closed off to allow police to carry out an investigation.
Officers would not disclose how much money was stolen but described it as a "large amount of cash".
Det Sgt Ross Toms said: "This was a particularly nasty incident where the two security guards were forced to the floor and intimidated by the offenders.
"Fortunately they were not injured but, understandably, they have been left very shaken by what has happened."
It is believed at least three people were involved in the incident, and that the robbers used a dark-coloured BMW estate to drive away from the scene.
Two other cash in transit robberies outside banks also took place last month, one in Havant on 25 November and one in Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, on 24 November.