£53 million stolen in Kent robbery

The gang which carried out the robbery at the Securitias depot in Tonbridge, Kent, last week, escaped with £53 million it has been confirmed.

Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Leppard also announced that five people had been arrested in connection with the investigation into last Wednesday's robbery, in addition to the six people who were released on bail last week.

Four people are still being questioned, while the fifth has been released on bail.

Forensic teams are continuing to investigate 14 metal cages and packaging material discovered in a field in the Maidstone area.

Earlier, ACC Leppard said: "We know the cages were dumped at about 9:30am on Wednesday and we believe they were dumped from the back of a white lorry. It could be that this was the same white Renault Midlum lorry used in the robbery itself.

"We would obviously like to speak to anyone who may have seen this vehicle or any other suspicious behaviour in the area, as it is near the transmitter masts on the top of Detling Hill.

"Where has the lorry been since and where is it now? We would urge people out and about this weekend to be alert. Have you seen a lorry somewhere you wouldn't expect, maybe abandoned? Is there an unfamiliar vehicle in a car park or road near you?"

ACC Leppard said that the lorry displayed a 54 number plate, but CCTV footage suggested that it was an "older type of vehicle". The lorry also has a plywood floor and a white rail inside the cargo area.

Detectives are currently following a number of leads in the case. Search warrants have been executed at a number of addresses in Kent over the past 24 hours, while forensic experts are continuing to examine a white Ford Transit van found at the Ashford International Hotel on Friday.

It is now known that this van contained £1.3 million in cash, as well as firearms, balaclavas and flak jackets similar to body armour.

A 49-year-old man arrested on Sunday has been released on police bail. Two other men, aged 33 and 55, who were also arrested yesterday have also been released on bail as inquiries continue.

ACC Leppard said that police had received more than 1,000 calls from the public, which had resulted in a number of good leads. However, he appealed again for more information from the public.

Anyone with any information regarding the robbery is asked to contact: 01622 652361 or 01622 652366.

(KMcA)