A FEMALE security guard had a cash box swiped from her hand when she was making a midday collection in a busy shopping street.

The guard was collecting cash from a business in Walthamstow High Street, which was packed with Saturday shoppers.

On returning to the security van she was pushed into the back of the vehicle and the cash box was snatched from her hand.

The victim, who was not injured, saw two men running towards a silver car in Mission Grove with the cash box, then saw the car drive into Coppermill Lane.

The security van driver activated the alarm.

Shortly after a member of the public called the police to report that they had found the cash box with the alarm sounding at the end of Coppermill Lane.

Police officers arrived to find another cash box nearby which appeared to be intact and the silver car, which had been abandoned.

The two suspects are black men, about 5ft10ins, wearing dark hooded tops and scarves concealing their faces.

Anyone with any information about this crime are asked to contact Det Cons Howard Dicks at Barking Flying Squad on 8345 4226 or 0207 230 8666. Or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.