AN armed robber waved a gun at a bus full of schoolchildren as he made his getaway from Safeway in Hatfield Road on Monday afternoon.

Police are appealing for witnesses after the balaclava-clad man hit a security guard in the face with a handgun outside the store and made off with a large quantity of cash.

The incident occurred just before 4pm, as the 54-year-old guard was carrying a security box of money into the store. He was knocked to the floor by the blow and required hospital treatment for a facial injury.

The robber pointed the gun at shoppers, then ran across Hatfield Road, waving the gun at cars and the bus to stop traffic. He got into a white car parked at the junction of Hatfield Road and Woodstock Road South.

The car headed down Woodstock Road at high speed, then turned right into Eaton Road where an oncoming car had to stop to let it through.

An incident room has been set up by St Albans police. Witnesses can contact officers on 01727 796003.

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