HOODED robbers fled empty-handed when they attempted to smash their way into Abbey National in Queen Street, Newton Abbot, on Tuesday night. A security van had pulled up outside the building just before 8.10pm to deliver money for the cash machine. One of the guards had gone into the premises and had just completed filling it when three men in hooded tops tried to smash through the automatic door with a heavy drain cover they had yanked from the road. The guard had escaped to another part of the building, and the other guard remained in the vehicle. Both were shaken but unhurt. The raiders escaped in a dark colour 4x4-type vehicle, driven by a fourth man described as being black and possibly in his mid-30s. It is believed the vehicle was a black Honda CRV, which was seen nearby and had driven up and stopped behind the security van. it roared into Kingsteignton Road, going the wrong way through a one-way section outside the Jobcentre. An empty cash box was left on the pavement outside the cash point. Police sealed off Queen Street from its junction with Albany Street until early on Wednesday. Investigating officers are appealing to anyone who saw the Honda CRV being driven in the Queen Street area in the time leading up to and after the incident, to contact them on 08452 777444, quoting the log number 1129 of 19/09/06, or in confidence through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. A resident said police officers were on the scene quickly, along with an ambulance. 'I don't think the security guard was injured, but I know the one in the van was very shaken.' On Wednesday, the Abbey National did not open until 10.30am after police checks and the glass splinters had been picked up, while the cash machine was out of action. Customers were entering through a side door. A spokeswoman said it was business as usual. Group 4 Securicor confirmed that two of its couriers were attacked during an incident in Newton Abbot, and that neither of them were injured.