Major robbery foiled in Cirencester (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Major robbery foiled in Cirencester

CIRENCESTER was the centre of an extensive police raid on Christmas Eve after a plot for a major robbery in the county was uncovered.

Armed officers, sniffer dogs and the force helicopter were all involved in the operation which was the result of a joint intelligence investigation between Gloucestershire Constabulary and the Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad.

The operation was launched after police intelligence uncovered plans for a large-scale robbery somewhere in Gloucestershire.

Five men, all from outside the area, were arrested at a unit on the Love Lane Industrial Estate and taken to a North London police station under armed guard for further questioning.

Officers from the Gloucestershire Constabulary, the Metropolitan Police Flying Squad and the force firearms unit all descended on a warehouse in the industrial estate at 8.50pm on Saturday.

Although there were reports of a body seen lying in the road on the industrial estate, these have been dismissed by police.

Several anxious local residents called Cirencester police station on Christmas Eve to report seeing men carrying guns in the area.

However, the men were later revealed to be the armed officers taking part in the raid.

Acting chief constable Mark Polin, of Gloucestershire Constabulary, said the operation had been a great success.

He said: "This operation, which was intelligence-led, is a valuable example of joint working between forces.

"It demonstrates our ability to work alongside our colleagues from other areas in well planned and executed operations."

The five men, who all appeared in a London court on Boxing Day, were Attilla Kadir, 34, David Thomas, 37, and Paul Lewis, 32, all of North London, Lyndonn Willoughby, 36, of Middlesex, and John Tripp, 22, of no fixed abode.

All five appeared at Brent Magistrates Court charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and were remanded in custody to appear at Harrow crown court on January 3.