A armed group used a car to launch a “smash and grab” style raid at a luxury London department store, the Metropolitan Police have confirmed.

Police were called to Selfridges on Oxford Street shortly after 4am on Tuesday morning after four suspects had driven a car at the store to gain entry.

A security guard attempted to stop the group but was threatened by one of the suspects with a knife. A second security guard was driven at.

The raiders took off with designer handbags before fleeing in another car, described as a white VW Golf.

No arrests have been made.

Selfridges told the Press Association on Tuesday: “We can confirm there was a break-in at the Oxford Street store this morning.

“Nobody was injured and the police are investigating. The store is continuing to trade as normal.”

Detective Constable Tom Aylward at the Metropolitan Police said: “This raid was targeted and lasted a matter of minutes.

“My team are busy collecting witness accounts and recovering vital CCTV footage of the burglary at the store and of the suspects leaving the scene.

“Thankfully nobody was injured.

“I’d like to appeal for those who may have been in the area at the time and saw the individuals involved, either at the scene or fleeing, to get in touch with police and send us any images and footage that they may have.

“All the suspects were males, at this time we are still trying to establish a full description.”

Anybody with any information is asked to contact police on 101.