Armed robbers at large after crime spree

Gun-toting bandits remain at large after slipping through the clutches of police and a suburban Sydney lockdown.

Heavily-armed police surrounded Fairfield East in the city's western suburbs on Friday, forcing residents inside their homes while officers searched for four armed men.

The dramatic scenes came after two armed hold-ups - one unsuccessful - and two attempted car-jackings.

The bandits unsuccessfully attempted to rob a Commonwealth Bank at Chester Hill before storming the Rosnay Golf Club in Auburn.

Police said two men were armed with guns and another wielded a hammer when they robbed the golf club of cash.

Gavin Xavier saw one of the robbers come into the club and contemplated tackling him.

"He came charging to the office and I didn't realise he had a gun at the time," he told Network Ten.

"I was going to tackle him and bring him down but he pointed a gun at me ... but discretion got the better part of valour."

However, the foursome's getaway came undone when an unmarked police car spotted them.

Chief Superintendent Peter Gillam said a car carrying the four balaclava-clad men then collided head-on with another car.

They fled and unsuccessfully tried to hijack two other cars.

Police then received a tip off the men were holed up in house on Hercules St at Fairfield East, sparking the lockdown and patrols by riot police.

Two helicopters swept over the suburb, schools were closed and many streets in the quiet suburban area were cordoned off for most of Friday.

While many residents inside the lockdown zone were confined to their homes, some locals were left stranded on the street.

Tangerine St resident Ciantar Josephine had to wait at one end of the street for more than two hours to get home.

"The same thing happened six to eight months ago. They told us to stay in the houses until they were done," she said.

The four men have been described as being of Pacific Islander appearance.