Angul: A few hours after a robbery at an Andhra Bank took place here on Friday, a similar attempt was made by criminals to loot the State Bank of India branch at Bantala.

The incident took place on Friday around 11pm, at Bantala, which is 20km away from Angul.

The criminals could open three gates and two doors and could reach up to the strong room of the bank. However, when they approached the strong room, the siren installed at the bank went off.

On hearing it, the robbers escaped before police reached the spot.

Inspector in charge of Bantal police station S.C. Rout said: "I heard the siren around 11pm and rushed to the spot, along with the police force. But, we found no one. The grill gates and doors were opened. I scanned the area to find the robbers, but they had escaped."

In the morning, bank officials arrived and after checking they said nothing was stolen and the cash was in intact. "Thanks to the siren! The CCTV cameras did not record the footage because of technical snags. However, the problem has been resolved now," said an official.

The police have got a lead in yesterday's robbery at the Andhra Bank. The culprits had decamped with Rs 23 lakh and gold ornaments on gunpoint.

"We have formed three squads to investigate the case. They are working on the case and hope to solve it shortly," said a police officer.