Armed robbers are believed to have got away with thousands of dollars after holding up an Armourguard security van outside an ASB bank at the Westgate Shopping Centre in west Auckland this afternoon.

The men looted the van just before 5pm, before fleeing the scene by car.

No shots were fired.

A witness at the scene described to nzherald.co.nz what unfolded.

"Two guys came charging up, took the money, the suitcase from the Armourguard security guard and went running off."

The witness said the two men pulled guns on the Armourguard security guards who ran back inside the bank.

One News reported the getaway car was found burnt out not far from the scene.

- NZ Herald staff