Four locked in refrigerated cellar during robbery at Old Hill Cricket Club

The female staff member and three customers managed to break free and raise the alarm shortly after 1am on Sunday.

Four men approached the group as the woman locked up Old Hill Cricket Club at around midnight.

She was threatened with a screwdriver and she, along with three regulars who had waited with her, was forced to hand over her personal possessions.

The group was then forced down the cellar as the robbers searched the Haden Park Road club, stealing cash and spirits.

DC Derek Cole from the Acquisitive Crime Team in Force CID is leading the inquiry.

He said: "This was very distressing for the four people caught up in the raid, as they were forced to hand over their money and personal goods before being made to get into the cellar.

"They were down there, in the refrigerated space, for around an hour before managing to break out and raise the alarm.

He added: "Thankfully no one was badly harmed but they were, understandably, very shaken by their ordeal."

The four robbers were all in their 20s and wore scarves across their faces, gloves and dark coloured hooded tracksuits.

The first man is described as black and around 6ft tall. The second offender was black, shorter than his accomplice, around 5ft 10in, and also slimmer. The third man was white, around 5ft 5in tall, he wore all navy blue coloured clothing. The fourth offender was white, around 5ft 8in tall, also wearing dark clothing.

DC Cole added: "We want to hear from anyone who saw these men arriving at the scene or making their getaway.

"Given the nature of the alcohol and cash that they stole we assume they may have had a vehicle nearby which would have been used to leave the area."

Police are appealing for anyone who was around Haden Park Road late on Saturday night or in the early hours of Sunday morning to help the investigation.

Phone Force CID at Harborne by dialling 101 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.