£40million 'biggest heist in history'

February 23, 2006

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THEFT: Securitas depot in Kent.

THEFT: Securitas depot in Kent. 1/2 Play Slideshow

UP to '40m has been stolen from a security depot in what is thought to be Britain's biggest robbery.

The Bank of England said at least '25m had been taken but sources said the true figure could be '15m higher.

The Governor of the bank called for a review of security arrangements for the storage of banknotes following the raid on the Securitas cash depot in Tonbridge, Kent.

In yesterday's raid, 15 members of staff were threatened and tied up.

The gang posed as police and abducted the depot manager, his wife and son, and threatened him at gunpoint.

Det Supt Paul Gladstone of Kent Police's serious and organised crime unit said the raid was "clearly a robbery that was planned in detail over time".

He described the figure stolen as "a very substantial sum of money running into millions of pounds".

The raid at the Northern Bank's Belfast headquarters in December 2004 netted '26.5m, making it the biggest cash theft in British and Irish history.

ROUTE: How the robbery took place. Cash depot

The robbery is believed to have started when the manager of Securitas' main cash depot south of the Thames was pulled over while driving near Stockbury, Maidstone at 6.30pm on Tuesday by what he believed was an unmarked police car.

A man wearing a high visibility jacket and "police-style" hat got out of the vehicle, which had blue lights in the radiator grill, and spoke to him.

Thinking they were genuine police officers, the manager then got into their car where they handcuffed him.

Police said two more fake policemen visited the manager's wife and young son, told them the manager had been involved in an accident, and took them from their Herne Bay home.

The manager was driven off and the car later met up with a white van.

He was tied up and put inside and taken to an unknown location where he was threatened at gunpoint and told to "cooperate or his family would be at risk", Kent Police said.

At about 1am he was taken to the Vale Road security depot where at least six men, some armed with handguns, threatened and tied up the staff.

Lorry

The gang loaded the cash into a white lorry before driving off. Kent Police were alerted when the shocked but uninjured staff activated an alarm. The manager, his wife and son were also unhurt.

A Bank of England spokesman said: "We have already been reimbursed by Securitas for the initial estimate of '25m and any further sum will be reimbursed to the Bank as soon as the amount is known. There is no cost at all to the Bank or the taxpayer.

"The Governor today asked for a review of the security arrangements for the storage of banknotes."

The raid at the Northern Bank's Belfast headquarters in December 2004 netted '26.5 million, making it the biggest cash theft in British and Irish history at that time.

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steve, manchester (23/02/2006 at 12:26)

sounds like the same people that did the bank heist in n. ireland, hardly any of that cash has been retrieved. i think the police are dealing wirth some criminal mastrerminds! chances are that money is long gone.

Mike, city centre Manchester (23/02/2006 at 16:07)

Because no one was hurt if I can add a little humour. If you are going to be on the wrong side of the law then go for it bigtime. Dont steal a car or tin of beans from tesco you will get caught. Do villains not go and retire in Spain? Seruritas is spanish owned so Spain,s economy should do all right

Charles, Snellville (23/02/2006 at 17:21)

I'll wager that Hollywood will have a movie about it within a years time!

Boston Mass, USA (23/02/2006 at 18:50)

CK. Rentals close to Bank, you will find no one home,IRA.Needs,new funds,for new war. That's what I think.

Aaron, U.S. (23/02/2006 at 19:05)

The planning and precision seems to be that of military personnel.

C.LAUNDON, KENT (23/02/2006 at 19:11)

A VERY METHODICAL ROBBERY! HOW THEY GOING TO LAUNDER ??40 MILLION?
NO DOUBT THEY HAVE CONSIDERED THAT IN ADVANCE!
CREAM OFF THE TOP FOR THE GANG! THEN REINVEST IN LEGITIMATE BUSINESS...SIMPLE!
AM I IN THE WRONG JOB!

manchester, manchester (23/02/2006 at 19:22)

i'd like to wish them goodluck

willy, canada (23/02/2006 at 19:38)

i think that this is incredible what happened and i wish good luck to the police

Neutrino, Liverpool (23/02/2006 at 20:45)

Steve, you are a moron.
I'm so tired of the same old "if in doubt blame the IRA" Criminal masterminds? What? Yeah-it probably was those who did the northern ireland raid, and do you think they'd be stupid enough to go doing an even bigger one in London? Do you think they're stupid enough to even leave the country so soon? Think man think, if you had that much would you risk it? Instead of blaming the ira for everything, why don't you check up on whats really happening in the north at the moment..not what the English papers tell you.

Walter Brown, Brisas del Golf, PANAMA (24/02/2006 at 01:04)

This theft was well orchestrated
with insiders help.
Security and intrusion alarms were inadequate and need immediate attention.insiders need to be looked at carefully again.
Good luck for recovery and I hope those criminals are caught and dealt with severely.
Walt Brown

jay, Dukinfield (24/02/2006 at 07:15)

lets hope they all get put inside for a long time any one who supports them try putting your wife or girlfreind in a car with armed men for a few hours and see how you feel

Andy, Wythenshawe (24/02/2006 at 09:21)

Ive heard reports that between 15 mill and 50 mill was taken, i wish someone would get it right,

PW, Manchester (24/02/2006 at 09:44)

I have every sympathy for the victims involved, as I have experienced an armed raid myself. It is frightening and sickening. However, when these robbers are caught, you will see the British Justice system swing into full force. They will receive far greater sentences than a thug who has kicked some poor passer-by to death, or similar murdering-criminals. The establishment will want to show a more effective deterrence to criminals who steal their money. They've had their
-rses bitten badly, and they will be looking for revenge.

Andy, Wythenshawe (24/02/2006 at 12:34)

PW, has said something i agree with for a change, the 'system' will protect itself ( by system i mean the old school tie hierarchy ), but when it comes to the average Joe Public the law doesn't give a damn.

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