A gang of masked men robbed banks and assaulted a member of staff who got in their way yesterday.
Four men wearing masks burst into HSBC in London Road, Mitcham, at about 11.30am, and stole money, although the amount has not yet been assessed.
Staff were threatened but unhurt, a police spokesman said.
An hour later at 12.30pm, the gang are thought to have struck Barclays bank in Coombe Lane, Raynes Park in a markedly similar attack where group of four masked men went in and demanded money.
Police said they assaulted a female member of staff at the bank before they took off with the money.
She was treated for her injuries at the bank by paramedics.
Police were called to both of the Merton robberies but the men had left by the time they arrived, a spokesman said.
Officers from the Flying Squad is looking into whether the two robberies were linked to each other and to a third in Crystal Palace at about the same time.
Three robbers wearing balaclavas were said to have calmly walked into Barclays bank in Crystal Palace at about 10.45am yesterday morning.
Barclays Bank in Crystal Palace held up by masked robbers who fled empty handed
There have been no arrests made.
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