This is the moment bank robbers flee the scene of a crime with local residents taken hostage tied to the bonnets and even the roof of their getaway vehicles.

The heavily-armed criminals attacked a bank branch in the centre of the city of Aracatuba in the south-eastern Brazilian state of Sao Paulo in the early hours of Monday, 30th August.

After attacking the bank, the criminals approached pedestrians and passing drivers and took them hostage while also surrounding police bases and police vehicles again using human shields to keep away pursuit.

CCTV footage from the scene shows two heavily-armed criminals marching four hostages – two women and two topless men – down the street.

However, perhaps the most striking footage from the scene shows two large getaway vehicles being driven down the road with three hostage tied to the bonnets and roof.

The criminals even used a drone to monitor the police and closed off some of the entrances into the city to prevent police backup from arriving.

After the crime, residents said they found explosives and munitions in the streets and that some shops had been damaged.

Due to the seriousness of the crime, a police tactical unit from the city of Sao Jose do Rio Preto was called into action, and reinforcements were also sent from the cities of Bauru and Presidente Prudente.

The police have advised residents of Aracatuba to remain at home, as explosives that can be triggered by heat or movement still litter the streets of the city.

At the time of reporting, there was no information on deaths or injuries.