Armed robbery in central Hastings

There has been an armed robbery in central Hastings just after 10am on Friday.

Eyewitnesses say a man weilding what appeared to be a handgun held up a female Armourguard security guard.

The armourguard van was parked in an alleyway behind the ANZ bank on Karamu Road.

The eyewitness said the robber, who was wearing a hoodie and had his face covered,  jumped into a black utility vehicle and drove off. Police are appealing for sightings of the Ute.

Police cordoned off the scene for about two hours.