Security guard attacked by robbers outside Formby Waitrose

CASH IN TRANSIT ROBBERY - WAITROSE, THREE TUNS LANE, FORMBY

Merseyside Police are on the hunt for thieves who made off with a box of cash during a robbery at a Formby supermarket. Two men, seen driving a silver Mercedes, launched the raid at the Three Tuns Lane supermarket at around 9.10am.

The incident took place at the Waitrose store in the village this morning; the same day police launched a clampdown on cash-in-transit robberies in the run up to Christmas.

Merseyside Police can confirm they are today, Wednesday 9 December, at the scene of a robbery in Formby.

Officers were called to Waitrose on Three Tuns Lane, at 9.10am, to reports that a male had approached the crew of a cash in transit van and stolen a cash box.

The male offender, who was wearing a high visibility jacket and had his face covered with a mask, then made off in a silver Mercedes vehicle that was later found abandoned in Watchyard Lane.

No-one was injured during the incident.

A Formby resident who was at Waitrose shortly after the attack said: “A member of staff said a security guard making a cash delivery was hit over the head in the car park outside the store by two men, who grabbed his case and sped off. It’s a bit unnerving for something like that to happen in what’s an otherwise safe and sleepy village.“

Sadly, as Christmas gets closer, some people get greedy and would rather steal and hurt someone who is just doing their job than earn a living themselves. “I just hope they are caught and the guard isn't too badly injured.”

The security guard suffered minor injuries. Part of the car park remained cordoned off this morning. A police investigation is under way.

A force spokesman said: “Officers were called to Waitrose on Three Tuns Lane at 9.10am to reports that a male had approached the crew of a cash-in-transit van and stolen a cash box.“The male offender, who was wearing a high visibility jacket and had his face covered with a mask, then made off in a silver Mercedes vehicle that was later found abandoned in Watchyard Lane.“

Enquiries are ongoing and CCTV and forensic opportunities are being explored.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Merseyside Police Major Crime Unit on 0800 230 0600 or the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.