Hunt for masked shotgun raiders

An information appeal has been made by police

Three men armed with a shotgun and knives are on the run after a failed robbery attempt in south Wales.

The men, wearing balaclavas, burst through the back entrance of the Dylan Thomas restaurant in Samlet Road, Llansamlet, Swansea, at 2330 BST on Friday.

The staff are badly traumatised by what has happened

DI Mark Finch, South Wales Police

They demanded keys to the safe and threatened people working in the restaurant - one member of staff needed hospital treatment after being kicked in the head.

However, when staff said they did not have the access to the safe, the men left empty handed in a stolen silver Ford Orion - registration number K251 MGB.

Police investigating the attempted robbery are urging the public not to approach the men and are appealing for information.

Detective inspector Mark Finch said: "We need information about the incident and in particular, information about the car.

"It was stolen sometime after 9.15pm from outside the Abertawe Ale House on Oystermouth Road - it still hasn't been recovered.

South Wales Police are investigating

"This was a particularly nasty incident. A single barrelled shotgun was brandished and the staff are badly traumatised by what has happened," he said.

The public are urged to be vigilant and report anything suspicious that may be in connection with this crime.

"If the vehicle is seen, especially with people hanging around it, call 999 immediately," said DI Finch.

"We are urging people to be extremely cautious," he added.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Swansea Central's confidential crime hotline on 01792 450631 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111