Auckland Police are looking for five people involved in an armed robbery at Westgate's NorthWest Shopping Centre yesterday afternoon

They were seen, clad head to toe in black, storming the Michael Hill Jeweller store and smashing cabinets with hammers, about 4pm.

They then fled with a number of items.

Staff and customers barricaded themselves inside stores while others ran from the mall in panic.

A vehicle was found abandoned in Regents Park a short time later - but a second vehicle used by the group hasn't been located.

A similar attack at the Michael Hill Jeweller store at Dress Smart Onehunga occurred 10 days prior.

Police are investigating if the two events are related.