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Posted By: Anonymous Reward for information after guard attack - 13th May 2009 4:35pm

Bosses offer reward for information after guard attacked in Kirkby


CASH in transit bosses at G4S are offering an award for information following an attack on one of their guards in Kirkby on Monday.

At around 9.45am, a cash in transit van was visiting Makro on Hornhouse Lane when a man armed with a stanley knife challenged the guard.

A second offender threatened the guard and poured accelerant across his chest.

They escaped with a third man with three bags containing cheques in a Range Rover which was later found burned out.

The guard was left shaken but uninjured.

There were three offenders in total and all were wearing ski masks, dark clothing and balaclavas.

Detective Superintendent Martin Andrew investigating the case said: "This was a particularly nasty robbery and it's fortunate that no-one was injured.

"Merseyside Police is committed to detecting those responsible for committing cash in transit robberies and are working closely with the BSIA and organisations such as G4S to tackle this issue.

"The offenders were particularly threatening towards the security guard who, though unhurt, was left very shaken.

"I would urge anyone with information that will help us trace these men to make contact. Any information received will be acted upon."

John Bates, BSIA Chief Executive said: "Attacks against cash-in-transit couriers are often extremely violent and have a lasting and traumatic effect on both the couriers and their families."

An investigation has been launched by detectives and enquiries are on-going. Crime Scene Investigators have also examined the scene.

G4S are offering a reward of up to £5,000 for information leading to the arrest and charge of the people responsible for this incident.

If you witnessed the incident or have any information which may assist the Police, please contact Merseyside Police on 0151 777 5810 or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

MASKED thugs poured petrol over a security guard and threatened to set him alight as he picked up money bags from a Merseyside cash and carry.

The guard pulled up at Makro, in Hornhouse Lane, on the Knowsley Industrial Estate, at around 9.45am on Monday.

As he left the store clutching a security bag, he was surrounded by three men wearing ski masks.

One held a Stanley knife to his throat while another doused his chest with petrol and threatened to light it unless he handed over the haul.

The gang grabbed the bag and fled in a stolen, blacked-out, top-of-the-range, Range Rover.

It was found torched in nearby Spinney Road. The gang is thought to have fled in a waiting getaway car.

Head of the police cash-in-transit robbery team Det Supt Martin Andrew said: “These offenders have left a guard absolutely terrified. He was threatened with a knife and with an accelerant and is deeply traumatised.

“All they got was a bag of cheques, which are useless to them.

“So when we catch these people, and we will, they will be going down for a long, long time and have absolutely nothing to show for it.

“It was a horrendous attack.”

The victim worked for G4S which today offered an immediate £5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and charge of those responsible.

Det Supt Andrew said: “They want to show their support for their guard and have put this money up for anyone who can help.”

The gang were all wearing black clothes and ski-masks.

Police were today looking through the national crime database to identify similar robberies.

Last May a guard at a Cheshire supermarket also had petrol poured on her.

Anyone with information should ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.


THE ECHO
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