Four teams of armed police burst into a block of flats in Hendon on Friday in a bid to catch an armed burglars.

The road was cordoned off for almost three hours after a 21-year-old woman was robbed in her Sunningfields Road flat, and thought she recognised one of the thieves. Four teams of armed police, known as Trojans, arrived at 20 minutes later, at 2.21pm. They donned bullet-proof vests and rifles to search the house where they believed the robbers were hiding.

Around ten police cars and three ambulances filled up Fuller Road while police made preparations to carry out the search. Residents who had parked their cars were forced to wait to gain access to the road while police guarded access points in case of stray bullets.

At around 4.30pm the teams of armed police ran into the block of flats with shields, helmets and guns. They searched the premises looking for the robbers. The search continued for about half an hour but was unsuccessful.

There were three suspects -- one was described as Italian looking. They forced the woman to lie on her bed, pointing a small black revolver with a brown handle at her and demanding money. They escaped with approximately £150 cash. Anyone with information should telephone Colindale police on 0181 200 1212.

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