Two hurt in robbery shooting

Shops and banks have been cordoned off

A security guard was shot and a member of the public injured during an armed robbery in one of Newport's main shopping streets.

Shops and banks were cordoned off after the incident outside the Halifax bank on Commercial Street at around 1040 BST on Monday.

Witnesses told the BBC news website how a black car had driven off at speed after the incident.

Police have appealed for witnesses to contact them.

Detectives say a guard working for Securicor was shot in the leg while a member of the public who tried to intervene was struck a blow on the head.

Gwent Police say the robbers got away with a substantial amount of cash.

Card shop manager Melanie Griffiths said: "I heard a loud bang and then it was like the racing of a car," she said.

Card shop manager Melanie Griffiths heard the shooting

"And then you actually saw the car speeding past the window and you could just see people diving into doorways and grabbing kids and stuff off the street,"

Another witness, 71, who did not wish to be named, heard what sounded like "a pistol shot" and saw a man on the floor behind a Securicor van.

"I have been through wars, but I never expected to see anything like this in Newport," he said.

"It's not what you expect to see. I just feel terrible. That man, I thought he was dying."

Another couple, Jean and Gerald Bishop, from Newport, who were shopping at the time, said they had had to jump out of the way of a black car as it drove quickly down Charles Street.

Rapid response vehicle

Police confirmed a firearm had been discharged.

Meanwhile, Securicor has put up an award for information.

A statement read: "The safety of our staff and the public is of paramount importance and, as such, we are offering a substantial reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the attack."

Two ambulances, a rapid response vehicle and an officer were sent to scene at 1051BST.

Two men were taken by ambulance to the Royal Gwent Hospital. One is being treated for a gun shot wound in his leg. The condition of the other man is not known.