Hear Ch Insp David Pascoe
talking about the raid.

by Mary Graham and Charlotte
Luxford

Police believe armed robbers who
threatened a security guard on Friday morning escaped with
thousands of pounds.

They have launched an investigation
and are appealing for anyone who saw anything suspicious near the
Tesco Express store in Hermitage Lane, Barming, to get in
touch.

At 6.45am a security guard who was
delivering cash to the store, which is situated on the St Andrews
Park residential estate, was threatened by two men bearing
balaclavas.

Police believe they used a firearm
to get away with cash from the van.

The robbers then made off in a
white transit van, with distinctive roof bars through the estate,
emerging further along Hermitage Lane near the nurses’
accommodation block.

A similar white transit van has now
been recovered and is being forensically tested.

Ch Insp David Pascoe said: "This is
a very unusual crime - there are very few people who would commit a
crime of this nature and required a lot of planning.

"If anyone observed cash deliveries
in this area and saw something unusual we would appeal for them to
get in touch, even if it is something they think is
insignificant."

He added that police would not
reveal the exact amount stolen but added "it ran into the
thousands."

No-one was injured in the
incident.

BLOB: Anyone who witnessed anything
suspicious is asked to contact police on 01622 604173 or
Crimestoppers on 0800 333 111.