Thousands stolen in ram-raid at security depot

4:54pm Tuesday 6th November 2007

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THOUSANDS of pounds have been stolen following a ram-raid at a security depot in Droitwich.

Two off-road vehicles were used to break into the building before seven people wearing hooded clothing took the money and made a speedy getaway from Group 4 Securicor (G4S) in high-performance cars Monday night.

A strong police presence has been combing the site on the Berry Hill Industrial Estate for evidence today.

A police spokesman said: "Two cars were used to break into the building and were dumped there. They were used to gain entry. There were people on duty but nobody was affected or threatened."

A green Land Rover Discovery and a silver Mitsubishi Shogun were used to break into the building at about 8.40pm.

CCTV footage shows the assailants taking the money before driving off in two dark-coloured, high-performance Audi cars with a substantial, but as yet unknown, amount of money.

Detective chief inspector Jerry Reakes-Williams, who is leading the investigation, said the Land Rover Discovery bearing a registration number plate from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, was taken from Pratts Lane, Mappleborough Green, Redditch between 11.30pm and midnight on Sunday, while the Shogun was taken from The Slough, near Redditch, between 5pm on Saturday, October 27 and 7am the following day.

However, officers are still trying to work out where the two dark-coloured Audi vehicles originate from. The number plate of one, believed to be an RS4 Quattro estate, shows the registration details of a vehicle that was in Bromley, Kent, at the time, while the second vehicle's number plate was not seen by CCTV cameras.

Det Ch Insp Reakes-Williams said: "We know that the two 4x4s were stolen from the Redditch area and believe that the two Audi vehicles will also have been taken illegally.

"It is likely that both of these Worcestershire-based vehicles will have been kept somewhere in the local area after being stolen. If anyone believes they have information about where they have been, or may have been, we would like to hear from them.

"The four vehicles arrived at the G4S premises within a few second of each other, so could have been seen travelling in convoy or parked up near-by in readiness. We are hopeful that someone will have noticed them at some point and may have information useful to the enquiry."

A spokeswoman for the company confirmed the incident happened and said: "G4S Cash Services (UK) is committed to maintaining the safety of its staff and the general public.

"We continue to work closely with trade unions, the police, the Government and relevant local authorities to develop initiatives that will curtail the growing number of violent attacks taking place against the cash-in-transit industry."

Anybody with any information should call police on 08457 444888, quoting 702S/051107. Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.