Armed robbers stormed into a Wimbledon bar and forced terrified staff to hand over that evening’s takings.

The gang of four broke into the rear of Henry J Bean’s in the Broadway before forcing staff at knifepoint to hand over cash from the tills and a safe at the back of the bar.

No one was hurt during the incident, which took place just before 2am on July 13, but police have launched an appeal for information.

Initial reports suggested more than £40,000 had been stolen, but staff at the bar later suggested the final figure was considerably smaller.

A police spokesman said: “When officers arrived the suspects had already made off from the scene with a large quantity of cash from the evening’s takings.

“The suspects are four males, aged in their 20s, wearing dark clothing with their faces covered.”

A manager at Henry J Bean’s said staff were coping well after the incident and were helping police with their enquiries, but did not wish to comment further.

No arrests have been made and Wimbledon CID is investigating.

Last year there were a string of jewellery robberies in Wimbledon town centre and Wimbledon Village when gangs smashed shop windows with sledgehammers.

Some jewellers were targeted two or three times, but the attackers were not always successful.

There was also a raid on Sainsbury’s in Wimbledon in September last year that sparked a police chase through the Village.

Anyone with information about the Henry J Bean incident should call police on 0300 1231212 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.