Appeal after attempted robbery of cash in transit van

Police were called to Asda in Corporation Street at 9-36am on Thursday May 6th following reports an attempt had been made to grab one of the cash cassettes.

One of the security guards saw the suspects, who were both wearing helmets with the visors up, hanging around the cash machines outside the store minutes before the attempted robbery.

After he had walked past the men and gone into the store, they approached the van. When his colleague began to unload the van, one of the suspects attempted to snatch one of the cash cassette, but the security guard managed to pull it back into the vehicle.

An attempt was then made to open the side door of the van. Both men then escaped emptyhanded on a grey coloured moped in the direction of the Whitehall Industrial Estate. They are described as white males, wearing all black clothing.

DC Carl Guest, of East CID, said: “This was an attack on a security guard who was merely trying to go about his work. I am sure the public are appalled by this kind of behaviour and it is certainly something Lancashire Constabulary will not tolerate.

“Our enquiries are very much ongoing and I would ask anyone with information that could help us identify those responsible to get in contact with the police as soon as possible. I would also ask people to check their CCTV or dashcam footage to see if they have captured anything in the area around that time which could assist our investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting log 0341 of May 6, 2021. Alternatively call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.