Search continues in Kent robbery case

Police are continuing to carry out a series of searches in connection with the £53 million robbery at the Securitas depot in Tonbridge, Kent.

An isolated farm in Staplehurst is among the properties being searched. It is understood that it is owned by millionaire businessman John Fowler. Underwater divers, specialist search teams and vehicle recovery units have been working at the scene.

On Tuesday, police also found a white lorry, which they believe was used in last week's robbery.

Forensic experts are now examining the vehicle, which fitted the description of the 7.7 tonne Renault Midlum truck caught on CCTV footage.

The lorry was used to load money at the Securitas depot and is also believed to have been used to dump money crates in fields at the top of Detling Hill near Thurnham last Wednesday morning.

A woman was also arrested in connection with the investigation yesterday. Police are still continuing to question four other people in connection with the robbery and were granted an extra 26 hours by magistrates last night in order to continue questioning two men.

Seven other people have been released on police bail.

On Tuesday, police released images of cars similar to the silver Nissan Almera driven by depot manager Colin Dixon and the Volvo driven by the two bogus policemen who kidnapped him last Tuesday evening, on the A249 near Stockbury.

Road checks were also carried out at key sites linked to the robbery, the kidnap of Mr Dixon and the kidnap of his wife and son at their home in Herne Bay, last night and during the early hours of this morning.

Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Leppard said: "Over the past few days we have been following up a number of highly promising leads and I remain confident that we are closer to catching those involved in the robbery."

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

(KMcA/GB)