Undercover police target cash raids

Undercover police cars will be trailing cash vans used by banks, betting shops and supermarkets in a new crackdown on cash-in-transit robberies.

Police patrols will be stepped up around known targets with armed officers on standby.

Officers will also be keeping track of delivery times at venues such as building societies, petrol stations and restaurants.

West Midlands Police unveiled the plan as it re-appealed for information following a £23,000 robbery at a post office in Streetly, which saw two men armed with an axe ambush a delivery driver.

Det Ch Supt Darren Walsh said: "The increased use of overt and covert patrols will make cash-in-transit robberies a far more risky enterprise for gangs. We are aware of the potential hotspots, we have far greater communication with the industry over delivery times and are generally far better prepared."

He said police on normal patrol were also being asked to keep a closer eye on security vans while they were outside business premises.

Banks, building societies, post offices, betting shops, supermarkets, off-licences, bars, restaurants and garages will all be closely monitored under the scheme. Det

Ch Insp Walsh added: "Marked and unmarked police cars will follow security vehicles, but there are many other covert tactics in place.

"This is a crime which can have lasting effects on the people who are working for the security companies or businesses, but it is one we are determined to stop.

"The drive to reduce cash van raids is also backed by armed response vehicles, increasing the risk of detection for the robbers."

The Streetly raid took place in the Blackwood Road post office on November 11 at 9.15am.

Two masked men armed with an axe pounced on the cash van delivery drivers and escaped with £23,000.

Detectives today said investigations were continuing and they were searching for a black Renault Megane with the registration GR55 BDH.

Meanwhile, knife-wielding robbers attacked a security guard as he delivered cash to Gornal Wood Post Office shortly after 9am on September 8.

The guard was approached by two men who assaulted him in the doorway of the post office and grabbed the cash box.

Earlier this year, two masked men attacked a security guard who had just collected the takings from Wolverhampton's Moon Under Water pub, escaping with £12,000.