Half-a-dozen bank robbers mounted an impressive double heist near the northern Greek town of Kavala yesterday but made off with negligible loot after a gunfight with police, while another three robbers in Thessaloniki managed to net 226,600 euros in a more low-key operation.

A group of six men armed with assault rifles drew up on three motorbikes outside the adjacent Alpha and Commercial bank branches in Eleftheroupolis, near Kavala, and, leaving two lookouts outside, raided the banks in pairs. But the one pair snatched 2,500-3,000 euros, while the other left empty-handed when clerks set off the alarm. As the robbers were on their way out, officers from the nearby police station turned up and opened fire. All six escaped, but at least one was injured. No policemen were hurt.

Meanwhile, three gunmen stole 226,000 euros and 3,400 dollars from a Thessaloniki Commercial Bank branch.