ARMED raiders who escaped with a five figure cash haul after targeting security guards at a bank have been linked to an earlier botched robbery.

Two workers were delivering a cash consignment to a bank in Airdire, Lanarkshire on Tuesday morning when the robbers struck at around 7.20am.

The male employees from the Group 4 security firm were restocking the ATM at the town's Clydesdale Bank when they were approached by two men.

The suspects threatened the guards with knives and seized a container containing cash in the region of £40,000.

They made off in a silver coloured five series BMW bearing the prefix MD07.

The security guards were uninjured but cops revealed a silver BMW with the same number plates was used in a botched raid in nearby Hamilton on Friday.

Detective Inspector Tom Carty of Baird Street CID is appealing for witnesses.

He said: "This is the second time in four days that a silver coloured BMW bearing the prefix MD07 was used in similar circumstances.

"On Friday 6 November an attempt was made to rob security guards at a Post Office in Birkhill Road, Hamilton.

"Fortunately they were unsuccessful.  The suspects made off in a silver coloured BMW with the same registration.

"Our enquiries have revealed that these plates were stolen from a BMW 5 series car.

"I believe that the security guards were deliberately targeted and those responsible must be caught.

"It is totally unacceptable that security staff who are earning an honest living, are being threatened by these individuals.

"I would appeal to anyone who was in the area of Forrest Street, Airdrie shortly after 7am this morning and saw this robbery to get in touch.

"I would also like to speak to members of the public who perhaps saw a silver coloured BMW parked at or near the scene to come forward.

"They may have information which would be relevant to our investigation."

During Friday morning's raid a Group 4 worker was stocking the ATM machine in Low Waters Post Office in Hamilton when a masked man carrying a knife tried to rob him.

He was unsuccessful and ran from the post office and made off in a silver coloured BMW with the prefix MD in the direction of the town's Eddlewood area.

No one was injured and nothing was stolen.

Anyone with information on the Airdrie robbery or the attempted robbery on Friday 6 November in Hamilton is asked to telephone the CID at Baird Street on telephone number 0141 532 4115.

Meanwhile detectives at Shettleston are appealing for witnesses after a man wearing a witch's Halloween mask robbed a bookmakers on Monday night.

Around 6.20pm the fiend entered the premises of Victor Chandler Bookmakers in Hallhill Road, Barlanark and threatened the staff members.

He suspect made off with a four figure sum of money.  He was last seen in Hallhill Road near to Barlanark Road.