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BRITAIN: Robbery Money is Found in Van

Posted on: Saturday, 25 February 2006, 15:00 CST

By NEVILLE DEAN

DETECTIVES investigating the multi-million pound Securitas depot raid yesterday recovered "a quantity of cash" from a white Transit van linked to the robbery.

Kent Police said it was too early to say how much money had been recovered from the van, which was found at the Ashford International Hotel earlier yesterday after a tipoff from a member of the public.

However, pictures emerged last night which appeared to show two police officers in white overalls, face masks and gloves unloading two large black bags from the back of the van.

The bags appeared to be wrapped in tape and required two officers to lift them. If full of cash, the quantity of money recovered could be substantial.

A gang of armed robbers escaped with up to pounds 50m after raiding the Securitas depot in Tonbridge, Kent, in the early hours of Wednesday.

Police also confirmed last night that the three people arrested so far in connection with the raid had been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Speaking outside Kent Police headquarters, assistant chief constable Adrian Leppard said the investigation was moving at a "fast pace".

"We have recovered another vehicle and we are linking that to the investigation at this stage," he said.

"I am very grateful to the member of the public who made a call to indicate the suspicion of a white Transit van that we have now recovered from the Ashford International Hotel at Maidstone.

"We have found cash in that van.

I am keen as you to know exactly how much cash, but we just do not know at this stage.

"It is important that we gain all possible forensic evidence from every stage of this inquiry."

Mr Leppard said forensic analysis of the van and its contents would take "many hours".

The Bank of England said that an audit of the stolen money confirmed pounds 25m belonging to the bank had been taken. This cash was repaid by Securitas on Wednesday.

But a spokeswoman added that investigations were still under way to find out exactly how much more money was missing, and who it belonged too.

Detectives were last night still hunting the lorry used to steal the huge cash haul.

With most of the other vehicles linked to the gangsters now located, officers believe the white Renault lorry could provide the key breakthrough.

Meanwhile, detectives issued the first e-fit of one of the suspects.

He is the man suspected of posing as a police officer to kidnap the depot's manager, 51-year-old Colin Dixon.

His wife Lynn, 45, and son Craig, whose ninth birthday was yesterday, were also held hostage by the gang.

A senior police officer spoke yesterday of how the family had been left "traumatised".

welshnews@dailypost.co.uk

Source: Daily Post; Liverpool

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