Shocking CCTV footage has been released of an armed robber threatening a helpless security guard with a gun.

Flying Squad detectives have released video of the unsolved robbery at Nationwide building society in Walthamstow High Street on May 18 last year, in a bid to finally bring the perpetrators to justice.

The two suspects dressed in dark clothing and motorcycle crash helmets, burst into the branch at around 3.25am, threatening two security guards who were refilling a cash machine.

Terrifying footage shows one of the suspects, who was armed with a silver self-loading pistol complete with a black silencer, fired the gun a number of times after the guards refused to hand over the cash.

One of the guards was shot in the leg three times causing serious injuries, which required him to stay in hospital for a week.

The suspects escaped from the venue in a stolen Ford Fiesta which has since been recovered.

Met Police officers investigating the case believe the robbery is linked to four similar cases from 2016, three of which involved a firearm.

Between May and December 2016, robbers targeted also targeted a cash and carry in Tottenham, a Santander branch in Forest Gate and two separate raids on a Santander branch in Hackney.

Flying Squad DCI Nick Blackburn said: "An increasing amount of violence is being used during these offences and we need the public’s help to identify the suspects, their firearms and the stolen cars they escaped in.

"In the latest offence, a guard was shot a number of times at close range.

"Fortunately, he has recovered from his physical injuries but has suffered a severe psychological impact from the incident.

"Any piece of information, no matter how small, could be what we need to identify the men responsible for these crimes.”

Independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers is also offering a £5,000 reward for any information given to the charity that leads to the arrest and conviction of the people responsible the robberies.

Roger Critchell, director of operations at Crimestoppers, said: “Everyone has a right to feel safe not only in their home, but also whilst at work.

"The guards who were targeted have been left with significant injuries and are recovering from the trauma of enduring such shocking and violent attacks.

“It’s distressing how quickly this group resort to using firearms in order to steal.

"We urge anyone who has information to come forward and speak to us 100 per cent anonymously."

  • Anyone with information on the robberies or information on the location of the firearms used is asked to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800 555 111 or via the non-traceable anonymous online form at: crimestoppers-uk.org