POLICE have issued an urgent appeal following a masked raid at an antiques shop.

Four men wearing balaclavas entered the shop on Montpellier Mews, Harrogate, at about 11.40am on Monday and threatened the staff with what they believed was a gun.

The four offenders left the shop in a dark coloured Lexus, registration number BG57 XRV.

Police are appealing for witnesses and information, including anyone who knows the whereabouts of the Lexus or has seen it travelling in the Harrogate area.

They are also appealing to anyone who was in the area of the store and captured any footage of the suspects or the incident on their mobile phones.

Detective Chief Inspector Andrea Kell of North Yorkshire Police, said: “No-one was injured in the incident. However, the staff have been very shaken up by what happened.

"I am appealing to anyone who can assist the investigation to contact us as matter of urgency, including anyone who has seen the Lexus either in transit or abandoned anywhere.”

Anyone with information contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1 and pass information to the Force Control Room.