Halifax raided in Chippenham

Thieves have smashed a car through the front doors of a Halifax bank in Chippenham and grabbed bundles of cash. It happened whilst a cash delivery was being made to those premises.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident at the Halifax branch in Market Place just before 7 last night.  They say 3 men abandoned the Ford Focus used to drive into the building, and left the scene in a black Volkswagen van.  The security guards were not injured in this incident, and police officers are still attempting to establish whether witnesses to this incident saw any weapons being used.  The total amount of cash stolen, still has to be established, but it is not anticipated that an exact amount will be released.

A short time later, a black Volkswagen van, with its number plates removed, was found in St. Marys Street, Chippenham, which is located  approximately 300 metres from the attacked premises.

Detective Sergeant Mark Kent is leading the investigation and says, " Whilst we have a number of witnesses from the Market Place area, I am appealing for anyone in the vicinity of St. Marys Street who saw the black VW van being driven at speed, or at least 3 men abandoning this vehicle and getting into another, and driving off, to contact me as a matter of urgency."

Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators attended the scene, and both the vehicles have been recovered for forensic examination.  A number of witnesses have been identified and they will be interviewed over the course of the next few days.

Detective Sergeant KENT added, "Additionally, I need to establish whether this 3rd vehicle drove off back in the Market Place direction, or whether it continued along St. Marys Street, in the direction of London Road.  It is certain that the vehicle would have been travelling at speed, so any information, however trivial it may seem, is important to me."

Information may be left by ringing 0845 408 7000 and Detective Sergeant Kent has guaranteed that any information will be treated as confidential, and if preferred he can be contacted on extension 728300.  Alternatively, anonymous information may be left by ringing Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.