The incident took place in the bohemian district of Möllevången in the city centre. A gang of three masked men pulled up in a car outside the currency exchange store and proceeded to storm the building armed with weapons including axes and a pistol.

Witnesses reported that they heard a number of shots being fired and initial accounts indicated that a man working in the shop was seriously injured.

"He was beaten over the head and taken to the hospital in an ambulance," Stephan Söderholm of the Skåne police told the TT news agency.

The man was believed to be conscious and cooperating with the police giving details about the attack.

Local newspaper Skånska Dagbladet reported that the thieves had managed to swipe an unknown amount of cash. Rival newspaper Sydsvenskan stated that when the trio came out of the building they fired a shot in the air.

The thieves fled the scene in a car which had stolen licence plates. It was later found abandoned at a nearby crossing.

"It's clearly positive for the investigation that we found it," added Soderholm, who confirmed that a number of witnesses had come forward to provide statements.

Malmö has been rocked by a spike of high profile crimes in recent months. On Monday a justice centre was bombed for the second time this year and there have been several car bomb attacks.  

The Local/pr