Cash van is ambushed
A van driver was ambushed by masked attackers as he delivered cash to a Stafford building society today. A van driver was ambushed by masked attackers as he delivered cash to a Stafford building society today. At least two men pounced on the Securicor employee outside the Nationwide Building Society, Greengate Street, at around 8.20am. The raiders, who were wearing balaclavas and high visibility jackets, drove off in a dark coloured car with an unknown quantity of cash.
The raiders, who were wearing balaclavas and high visibility jackets, drove off in a dark coloured car with an unknown quantity of cash.
Peter Bate, a Staffordshire Police spokesman, said he could not confirm if a weapon was involved but said there had been a suggestion that the men had been "holding something". This is believed to be a metal bar.
Mr Bate said he did not believe anyone was injured in the attack, which happened in broad daylight.
He said: "CID officers are carrying out an investigation following inquiries made at the scene."
Staffordshire Ambulance Service confirmed it had not attended the incident.
Officers cordoned off the premises, which is located at the corner of Greengate Street and South Walls, at around 8.50am.
It remained closed until 10.45am when it re-opened for business.
Lesley Ridgway, owner of the next-door shop, Chocolat Heaven, said she did not see the incident but would be checking her shop's CCTV to see if it had captured anything.
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She said: "I don't really know what happened at the moment other than it was a raid on the Securicor van.
"It must have happened at around 8.20am because I could hear a loud message coming from a radio, which I assume now must have been the van's security system.
"It's awful that something like this can happen in broad daylight. It definitely does unnerve you."
Passer-by, Tamlyn Jones, said: "I walked past at about 8.17am, saw the Securicor Van and a delivery man who was wearing his helmet." He added: "It must have been just moments before the raid happened."
Another passer-by, who did not want to be named, said: "You don't really expect it in Stafford - especially in the main street where lots of people are usually around."
A Group 4 Securicor (G4S) Cash Services UK, spokesman said: "We can confirm that two of our couriers were attacked during an incident in Greengate Street, Stafford at 08.31 on October 31, 2006. Neither of our staff was injured.
"G4S Cash Services UK is committed to maintaining the safety of its staff and the public. As such, we are in regular discussions with trade unions, the police, the government and local authorities to develop initiatives that will curtail the growing number of attacks taking place on the cash-in-transit industry."
David Dickinson, Chief Executive, British Security Industry Association said: "Cash-in-transit robbery is on the increase and this attack is yet another reminder of the seriousness of this type of crime."
A spokeswoman for the Nationwide Building Society, said: "We can confirm an incident did take place and we are working closely with police to determine exactly what happened." She said she could not confirm the amount of money stolen.
Anyone who saw the incident or has any information should contact Stafford CID on 0845 3 302010 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
