The masked man demanded to be taken into the bank, but a passing teacher helped to foil the raid when she heard the manageress’s cries for help and came to her assistance.

The robber left the bank empty handed, before jumping into a black Nissan Qashqai, which did a U-turn on Strathmartine Road before making off at speed in a northerly direction past Gillburn and Camperdown Roads.

The police were back at the scene today and were stopping rush hour motorists, who may have been in the area when the incident occurred.

Officers have previously expressed their disappointment at the lack of feedback from the public about the incident and were keen today to tease out any new leads.

Motorists were asked to look at photographs of a black Nissan Qashqai in a bid to jog their memory and were asked a series of questions about their movements on the morning of the robbery bid and whether they saw anything suspicious.

A large queue of traffic formed in both directions on Strathmartine Road as the survey was carried out this morning.

Detective Inspector Ally Reid, the officer leading the inquiry, said, “We have been stopping motorists and pedestrians in a bid to establish whether or not they were in the area at the same time last week.

“If they were, there’s every chance they may have seen this man before, during, or after the attempted robbery took place.

“Immediately prior to the robbery, the Nissan was seen parked in Kingsway West and had also been seen parked directly outside the bank last Wednesday and Thursday morning.

“We have brought a similar vehicle to the scene today to jog the memories of any passers-by.

“I’d like to thank all of the motorists and pedestrians who spoke to us this morning.

“I appreciate we may have caused them some minor delays on their way to work, but their assistance and information is crucial to the inquiry team.

“Again, I would appeal to anyone who owns a black Nissan Qashqai to make sure they know where their vehicle was last Friday morning and also during the days leading up to the attempted robbery, and to think about who had, or may currently have, access to their vehicle.

“The bank is situated on the corner of Strathmartine Road and Kingsway West, an exceptionally busy junction with both pedestrians and motorists, particularly at that time of the morning.

“I would urge anyone who witnessed the incident, or anyone who may have seen the man or the Nissan Qashqai before or after the attempted robbery, to get in touch with us. Every bit of information we receive is helpful.

“We know there were a lot of cars, buses and people walking in the area and someone may have vital information for us.”

The robbery suspect is described as being between 40 and 49, 6ft tall, of stocky build, and he spoke with a Scottish accent.

He was wearing a black tammy, a black coat, and was carrying a black holdall or rucksack.

The two bank staff and the Good Samaritan that came to their aid were not physically injured, but were left extremely shaken.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has any information that may assist officers, is asked to contact Tayside Police on 0845 600 5705, or call the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.