Police rescue three hostages in armed robbery at bird's nest shop

Police broke up an armed robbery at a bird's nest shop in Western District yesterday, arresting five men after a brief hostage incident.

But a search later revealed that about $800,000 worth of the highly prized nests were missing.

A police spokeswoman said: 'We believe some accomplices managed to steal the bird's nest before police arrived.

'We believe someone may have been waiting in a getaway vehicle outside.'

The policewoman added that there were no witnesses.

Armed with knives and an air-gun, five men burst into the Queens Road West shop at about 9.30am, according to police.