A DRONE has taken to the sky to hunt for armed robbers who raided a bank in Knutsford.

Two men threatened staff at the NatWest Bank in King Street in a terrifying ordeal just before 1pm yesterday.

Police at the scene of the armed bank robbery

Police at the scene of the armed bank robbery

Police at the scene of the armed bank robbery

Armed officers were at the scene as streets were cordoned off.

Minutes later police launched a drone to try and find the black motorbike used by the pair to escape.

Specially trained officers, members of the drone support unit, launched the Matrice 300RTK drone, also known as an unmanned aerial vehicle.

The Matrice 300RTK drone is fitted with an infra red camera which could have detected the heat from the engine of the getaway motorbike if it had been abandoned

The Matrice 300RTK drone is fitted with an infra red camera which could have detected the heat from the engine of the getaway motorbike if it had been abandoned

The Matrice 300RTK drone is fitted with an infra red camera which could have detected the heat from the engine of the getaway motorbike if it had been abandoned

The drone was flown over fields, bushes, streets and open spaces but failed to find the getaway vehicle.

Knutsford resident Peter Sharratt watched the operation from a car park in Tatton Park.

Police drone hunts for getaway bike used by armed bank robbers

Police drone hunts for getaway bike used by armed bank robbers

Officers from the drone support unit set in Tatton Park

He said: "I had been walking with my granddaughter and just got her asleep when two female police officers got out of a car and set up a little landing pad the size of a circular door mat with a drone, which looks like a tiny helicopter.

“They said they were looking for the motorbike used in the bank robbery.

The drone was flown around the area in the hunt for the black motorbike used by armed robbers to raid a bank in Knutsford

The drone was flown around the area in the hunt for the black motorbike used by armed robbers to raid a bank in Knutsford

The drone was flown around the area in the hunt for the black motorbike used by armed robbers to raid a bank in Knutsford

“The drone has an infra red camera so if it would pick up the bike if it had been dumped as the engine would still be hot.

“They flew it for around 45 minutes. It was a very professional operation."

Police have conducted a thorough search of the area and enquiries are ongoing.

Officers are now appealing for witnesses.

Both rider and pillion passenger were dressed all in black and the rider of the motorbike was wearing a multi-coloured black and red helmet.

DS Stephen Joyce said: “We are making a number of enquiries in the area and are keen to speak to anyone who has information that could help us.

“If you were in the area at the time and have dashcam get in touch on 101 or via website.

“There is also a chance that the suspects discarded their motorbike somewhere in the town or surrounding area. If you should come across this, or a green petrol can, please get in touch.”

Anyone with information should contact Cheshire Police on 101 or via the website quoting IML 931559.