LONDON, Feb. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- Five men have been arrested in west London after an armed gang raided a cargo firm based at Heathrow airport, shot at a warehouse worker and escaped with some 1.75 million pounds (3.2 millio n US dollars), police said Saturday.

    The robbers attacked the Menzie's World cargo shed Friday night,using plastic handcuffs to tie up 15 workers.

    Three male employees suffered minor injuries, while they were being restrained, and at least one of them was pistol whipped, police said in a statement.

    One of the employees was shot at as he attempted to escape but was not injured.

    Scotland Yard said the gang of five or six, thought to be armedwith handguns, escaped by hijacking a van and stealing a car.

    "We are actively searching for a further three suspects that are outstanding," said Detective Superintendent Mick Allen.

    A Heathrow Airport spokesman said the warehouse was in a controlled cargo area but stressed the "robbery did not compromiseaviation security."

    "The security arrangements at Heathrow for access to cargo areas comply with the government's national aviation security program," he added.

    Local media said armed robberies are not uncommon in London andthe sum of the stolen money makes the raid one of the more audacious seen in recent years in Britain. Enditem