Five arrested after cash in transit box stolen and security officer assaulted

Four men and a woman have been arrested following the armed robbery of a cash in transit van in Belfast. 

The vehicle was targeted in the Great Victoria Street area at around 8.50am this morning. 

A cash in transit security officer was assaulted by a man armed with a crow bar. 

The suspect then stole a cash box before making off in a dark coloured car. 

Officers across the city were alerted and the four men aged 41, 44 and two 40 year olds were detained a short time later alongside a 52 year old woman in west Belfast.

Two of the men and the woman were arrested a property in the Monagh Road area, while two other men were arrested at Monagh Bypass. 

They are being held on suspicion of a number of offences including robbery at Musgrave Station. 

The cash box has since been located and will be examined in due course. 

Meanwhile, the security officer was not physically injured but was left badly shaken following the incident.

Detective Inspector Keith Wilson is appealing for anyone who witnessed the robbery or anyone who saw any suspicious persons or vehicles in the area of Great Victoria Street before or shortly after the robbery to contact detectives at Musgrave on the non-emergency number 101 quoting reference number 251 26/01/21.

A report can also be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form at http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.