Robbery link sparks armed raid fears

Published on 28th June 2007 in News

Local police fear that more armed robberies similar to the one that ended up in Howden recently could take place in the region.

In March, robbers who stole £69,000 from a building society in Pocklington abandoned one of their getaway vehicles in Howden and sparked a massive police search, centred around the Howden Kitchens site (pictured right).

Since then, robbers have struck in Hull and Beverley and police are investigating links between all the raids.

In each incident, couriers from G4S Cash Services UK are said to have been attacked or threatened with violence.

Detective Chief Inspector Christine Kelk, who is in charge of the investigation, said that G4S couriers appeared to be the targets of the raids, a fact the security firm was well aware of.

She has also pointed out the offence in Pocklington was similar in that all the offenders were carrying weapons and balaclavas.

Police have been working with G4S to increase security, although have not been able to release the details of this.

A spokesperson for G4S said they were working closely with the police and were committed to maintaining the safety of its staff and the general public.

Three men from the Manchester area have been arrested and charged with conspiracy to rob in connection with the Pocklington raid.

In April, raiders also attacked a security guard at the Abbey Bank in Market Cross, Selby.

A guard suffered a cut to the face in the incident, and the offenders made off in a vehicle believed to have been a grey Ford Focus.