A GANG of masked men who attacked security guards outside a Suffolk supermarket before fleeing in a getaway car could have stolen thousands of pounds during the raid, it has emerged.

A GANG of masked men who attacked security guards outside a Suffolk supermarket before fleeing in a getaway car could have stolen thousands of pounds during the raid, it has emerged.

Three men demanded cash from the guards moments before they were due to fill up an ATM cash machines at Newmarket's Tesco store.

They snatched one of the cash containers – believed to hold thousands of pounds – before speeding off from the car park in a getaway vehicle.

Detectives investigating Friday night's attack said last night shoppers in the store could play an important part while also appealing to residents in the Nimbus Way area of town – where the vehicle was found dumped hours after the raid.

They also revealed that they were linking the incident to a foiled raid at the Fordham Road store just over a year ago.

Det Insp David Skevington, who is leading the investigation, said: “The supermarket was very busy on Friday night and there must be a considerable number of people who either saw the robbery or the men leaving the area in the car.

“We have already had a number of people come forward with some really good stuff and we feel shoppers could play an important part in the investigation.

“The men were all wearing different types of facial coverings - either dark scarves or balaclavas.”

The raid took place at about 8.50pm on Friday after a security van pulled into the car park and two guards got out.

They were delivering cash containers to the store's ATM machines when they were confronted and assaulted by three men, who were unarmed.

The trio then ran to a waiting BMW convertible, which was later found dumped in Nimbus Way, on the Studlands Park estate of Newmarket.

DI Skevington added: “Although they are trained to deal with this type of situation, the guards are clearly shaken up and have been affected by this situation. We will take our time talking to them and getting statements to get as much detail as possible.

“We would also appeal to residents in Nimbus Way to come forward with any information they might have about the men and the silver BMW convertible or if they have seen any other vehicles which would not normally fit in with the local area.”

In February 2005, quick thinking shoppers and staff foiled a raid on the Tesco store when three men, dressed in yellow fluorescent jackets, attempted to hold up a security van.

The men were seen pushing and repairing shopping trolleys in the car park before covering their faces with hoods and scarves when the van arrived.

The raid was thwarted when the police were called and the gang escaped by climbing over a fence and running through a neighbouring builder's yard.

DI Skevington said: “There are a lot of similarities with the foiled armed robbery at Newmarket's Tesco store in February 2005 so we are therefore linking the two incidents at this time.”

No one was available from Tesco last night.

Anyone with information should contact Newmarket CID on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.