TERRIFIED staff were forced to hand over cash when an armed robber burst into a building society - and "politely" asked for the money.

Scores of customers were forced to watch yesterday as the attacker struck at the busy Britannia Building Society in Kidderminster.

The raider - wearing a tweed jacket and dubbed "polite" by police - was believed to have targeted the town's main Post Office just minutes earlier.

He struck at the Vicar Street building society at 10.05am before using several taxis to escape with his haul.

Kidderminster CID would not reveal how much cash was taken.

And despite the raider handing a note to one cashier "suggesting there was a gun", they did not believe he was carrying a loaded weapon.

Staff had reported the man brandishing a circular black object.

"He threatened staff with an article," a West Mercia police spokesman said.

"He demanded money and an undisclosed sum was handed over.

"The offender then calmly left the premises.

"It's known that the offender used several taxis to relay him to the West Midlands police area where officers from both forces commenced a search."

The robber, described as white, in his 20s, with short, dark hair and a distinctive emblem shaved into his head, was wearing dark trousers.

Police said he was "polite and quietly-spoken".

Less than five minutes before the robbery, a man fitting his description demanded cash from workers at the General Post Office in the Bullring.

The demand was refused and the bungling raider walked calmly from the packed post office.

Anyone with information on the attacks is urged to contact Kidderminster CID on 01562 820888.

If you wish your call to remain confidential you can call Crimestoppers on the freephone number 0800 555111.