Police appeal for information about car used in armed robbery

Police investigating an armed robbery in Winsford are appealing for information about the car used by the offenders, which was stolen from Manchester.

Armed men attacked security staff making a cash delivery to Asda on Dene Drive just before 6am on Tuesday 7 December 2010.

Four offenders armed with a hammer and knife stole a substantial amount of cash before getting into a Blue Seat Toledo and driving off.

The car was on false plates and was stolen from White Moss Road in Blackley, Manchester, between Saturday 2 and Monday 4 October. The registration at that time was K55 PEL.

The car was abandoned on Cronkyshaw Road in Rochdale on Thursday 11 November. By this time the car bore false plates displaying BG55 KXV.

On Tuesday 7 December, the car was used in an armed robbery in Winsford.

As the security guard got out of his van to load the cash machine, two to three masked men demanded money from the other security guard in the van.

They threatened to hurt the guard outside the van if he refused and so cash was handed over.

As the offenders drove off, they crashed into the exit barrier. They drove left out of the car park towards High Street and in the direction of Middlewich.

One of the security men, aged 46, suffered cuts to his hand and was taken to Leighton Hospital for treatment. The other victim was not injured.

Detective Inspector Liam Furlong from Northwich CID said: “"I want to speak to anyone that may have seen this car in the two months since it was stolen from the Blackley area of Manchester, abandoned in Rochdale and then subsequently used in this robbery in Winsford.

“We have now recovered the car but any information people can provide us with could prove vital to my investigation. We are determined to catch the men responsible for this robbery and as ever the public can always play a vital role in achieving this.”

The offenders were all wearing balaclavas and dark clothing. One of them is described as having a Liverpudlian accent.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Cheshire Police on 0845 458 0000 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.