The 35-year-old security guard was unloading an ATM adjacent to Tesco supermarket, in Roundhay Road, Oakwood, when the robbers struck, at 9am yesterday.

Det Insp Nick Wallen, of North East Leeds CID, said that two masked robbers approached the guard and threatened him with a knife.

A struggle ensued and the guard suffered a slight injury to his arm before the robbers managed to grab a cash box and flee. An elderly shopper, standing nearby, was also threatened during the robbery although he was uninjured.

Det Insp Wallen said the two robbers sped off in a Mazda car, driven by an accomplice, who was also masked.

The car, which had been stolen in Harrogate on Tuesday, was recovered a short time later in Back Wetherby Grove, a few hundred yards up Roundhay Road. The car was intact but the cash box was missing.

He said they were still trying to establish how the robbers left the street where the getaway car was found.

He appealed for any witnesses to get in touch with police by ringing 0845 6060606 and asking for North East Leeds CID.