Site search for armed robbers

Published on 29th March 2007 in News

Police were searching Howden yesterday for armed robbers after a van thought to have been used by the suspects was found abandoned at the Hygena site.

The search began after two men wearing ski masks and armed with knives overpowered a security guard as he was delivering cash to the Nationwide Building Society in Pocklington at 8am.

They are believed to have stolen several thousand pounds in cash.

The robbers left the scene in a Saab car, which was later found in Pocklington, but then got into a white Ford panel van which was found abandoned at the Hygena factory on Thorpe Road at Howden.

One of the suspects is said to have attacked a police car with a large knife after getting out of the van. A window was smashed during the confrontation, but the officer was uninjured.

At least six police vehicles were seen parked at Hygena at midday yesterday and there were reports that armed police were guarding the gates and stopping people and vehicles as they approached.

It also thought that there were checks to see if employees' cars had been stolen.

More police cars were stationed on the approach to Howden and officers were also reported to be checking pubs in the town.

The guard involved in the robbery was treated for shock.

As we went to press it was understood that police were carrying out an inch-by-inch search of the Hygena site and believed the robbers were still on the premises.

A spokesperson for the company said they were co-operating with the police.

Police have issued an urgent appeal for anyone with any information about the incident to contact them on 0845 6060 222, quoting log number 96.