The police have arrested six men as part of their investigations into yesterday's elaborate attempted hold-up in Qormi Road, Sta Venera.

The robbers blocked the road and surrounding roads using stolen vehicles and tried to force open the private security van, carrying €2.8 million, by using a small mechanical shovel.

But rather than forcing open the back door of the security van, the mechanical shovel, believed to have been stolen two months ago, only succeeded in pushing the van forward into a pick-up truck which the robbers had used to block the road, and a parked car.

Up to seven shots were fired at the van but bullet proof glass proved its worth and no one was injured. Attempts to set the security van on fire also failed.

The robbers escaped from the scene in another van which they then set on fire in Mriehel.

The hold-up had been planned well ahead since oil was also spilled on the roads leading to the scene of the crime.

The police are believed to be looking for other people who may have been involved in the case.