Coins stolen from security depot

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Police are hunting robbers who broke into a security firm depot which transfers money by van and stole a four-figure sum made up of coins.

The incident happened at Newport and those responsible are believed to have used three vehicles.

Gwent Police said the Loomis UK depot, which was formerly owned by Securitas, in Queensway Meadows Industrial Estate was targeted on Friday evening.

Police are appealing for information about the robbery.

Two of the vehicles have been recovered by police but investigating officers are appealing for information on the third.

The lorry has some distinctive markings on the cab and the VW Transporter is not that common Det Supt Geoff Ronayne

The robbery took place at 1910 GMT on Friday when a number of people gained entry to the Loomis unit.

They got away with a four-figure sum which was made up of coins.

Police say that those responsible travelled into the area ahead of the robbery in three distinctive vehicles.

<ul class="bulletList" ><li>A Black/white/grey Ford Iveco Cargo Tector flatbed lorry bearing a cloned number plate: MK52 2VH. The lorry had some distinctive markings on the cab and a Liverpool phone number (prefix 0151) </li><li>A black Audi A6 estate car bearing a cloned number plate: HV58 XVR </li><li>A dark/burgundy Volkswagon Transporter people carrier. </li></ul>

Officers have recovered the Audi and the Ford Iveco lorry but the Volkswagon people carrier remains missing.

They have also eliminated the true owners of the number plates which were cloned from the inquiry.

Det Supt Geoff Ronayne, who is leading the investigations, said: "I am appealing to anyone who was in the vicinity of the Queensway Meadows Industrial Estate on Friday and might have seen anything suspicious or out of the ordinary to contact police by dialling 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

"I am also appealing to anyone who saw any of the vehicles used by the offenders to contact the police.

"The lorry has some distinctive markings on the cab and the VW Transporter is not that common, members of the public may recall seeing two or three of these vehicles together travelling in convoy or parked up.

"Whilst this is a serious incident, robberies such as this are rare in Gwent and residents should be reassured that we have stepped up patrols in the area and are doing all we can to apprehend the offenders."