Anti-theft shock for cash raiders

Mar 19 2008 by Lisa Jones, South Wales Echo

THREE robbers who stole cash from a security van delivering to a superstore cashpoint face a battle to conceal unique evidence.

They struck at around 4.30am yesterday morning outside the Tesco store in Penarth Marina.

Police confirmed a group of three men targeted a Group 4 Securicor security van and escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The security company is responsible for maintaining the cashpoint at the Tesco store, filling it with cash and it is understood staff were in the process of doing this when the robbers struck.

But a spokesman for G4S said all boxes of cash contained SmartWater, which leaves a unique, invisible marker trail on whoever opens them.

He added: “The crew of one of our vehicles was attacked during a violent incident in Nova Way, Penarth. Neither of our couriers was injured.

“G4S Cash Services (UK) continues to work closely with trade unions, the police, the Government and relevant local authorities to develop initiatives that will curtail the growing number of violent attacks taking place against the cash-in-transit industry.

“For instance, working with SmartWater, we have developed a unique forensic anti-theft system which has been incorporated into all cash boxes used by G4S couriers. As a result, criminals who break into a G4S cash box will unavoidably become contaminated by SmartWater, which cannot be seen by the naked eye.

“SmartWater currently has a 100 per cent conviction rate when used as evidence in a court of law.”

David Dickinson, chief executive of the British Security Industry Association, said: “Cash-in-transit robbery is on the increase and this attack is yet another reminder of the seriousness of this type of crime.

“It is a human crime perpetrated against men and women going about their everyday working lives performing an essential public service.”

Police stressed there were no weapons involved in the robbery and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

The store was open for business as usual this morning, although the area around the cashpoint machines outside the front door was sealed off.

A G4S van was parked unattended directly in front of the cashpoint machines.

Staff arrived yesterday to find much of the rest of the store sealed off. But police tape was later removed. The front of the Oyster Catcher pub, across the road from the store, was also blocked off by police tape.

Penarth Marina resident Ray Simmons tried unsuccessfully to get to the cashpoint machines.

“It is a big shock,” he said. “I did hear police sirens but thought nothing of it.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact South Wales Police on 01656 655555 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

lisa.jones@mediawales.co.uk