Raiders have pulled off an audacious £5million heist after sneaking into a cash storage depot by strapping themselves to the undercarriage of a truck.
The masked robbers struck on Wednesday morning at the high-security warehouse where delivery vans were stuffed with money ready for morning runs to banks and ATMs.
Workers at the Slough Trading Estate, Berks, were threatened and bound with cable ties by the gang who then smashed their way into a number of the vehicles.
The raiders appeared to have used angle grinders to cut through a metal fence into a neighbouring property during their getaway.
No one was hurt during the meticulously planned crime.
The robbers escaped in two vehicles and are described as wearing bulky clothing with head torches. Police would not reveal if they were armed.
Detectives from Thames Valley Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit are investigating the robbery.
Det Supt Kevin Brown said: “I am appealing for anyone with information about this robbery to please come forward.
“While I understand this may be alarming, there is no evidence of any wider threat to the public.
“Our Serious and Organised Crime Unit has launched an investigation to find those responsible and bring them to justice.
“There will be an increased police presence in the area while we investigate and anyone with concerns should speak to a uniformed officer.”
Detectives began scouring local businesses for CCTV on Thursday while forensic teams wearing white suits combed the site.
Vans from the Northern Ireland-based Pivotal Cash Management company lined the street near the crime scene as officers guarded the entrance.
A heavy-duty recovery vehicle with winches was brought in to lift a truck from behind steel shutters at the site so it could be taken for forensic tests.
Drivers from the recovery company were ordered to wear white overalls so they did not contaminate the site.
A blue tent was erected at the entrance of the building while an angle grinder lay on the floor of the depot.
One nearby worker - who did not want to be named - said: “The police have been here since Wednesday.
“It looks as though the robbers have gone through a fence into a neighbouring yard. The police are saying very little, they’re telling us nothing.”
A worker at the neighbouring Croft Brothers truck repair company said they had not been told details of the raid but confirmed police had been on site for two days.
A spokesperson for the Pivotal Group said: “We can confirm that an incident took place at our Slough facility early yesterday morning.
“Our greatest concern is for our employees and whilst none suffered physical injury, we are working to support their well-being.
“Police were immediately notified and we will continue to assist the authorities during the investigation.”
The robbery is thought to be the biggest cash depot raid since the £53million Securitas raid in Tonbridge, Kent, in 2006.
Thames Valley Police said several offenders threatened staff and stole a “quantity of cash” from an address in Deal Avenue at around 5.20am. No one was hurt.
Anyone with information can call 101, make a report on the TVP website, quoting reference number 43230137852 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via its website.”
