Two robbers made off on a scooter after a bungled raid on a Carshalton newsagent today.

The attempted robbery took place this afternoon as two employees from Loomis - the cash handling division of Securitas - went to empty the cash machine at the Day1 newsagents on Stanley Park Road in Carshalton.

Witnesses say two men waited outside the Western Union-affiliated shop for the cash handlers to leave before jumping on them and attempting steal the cash.

Another witness said the men dropped the box as they tried to get away on the scooter, leaving the lout behind.

Nearby Star Cafe customers said a police community support officer came into the cafe and asked if they had CCTV camera in operation before trying to calm the Loomis employees with a cup of tea.

Police have confirmed that it was an attempted robbery and have cordoned off the area.