DETECTIVES investigating a brazen town centre robbery were today trawling through pages of witness statements after two men stole cash from a security van.

Josh Warwick

DETECTIVES investigating a brazen town centre robbery were today trawling through pages of witness statements after two men stole cash from a security van.

Scores of people, many of whom had poured into Ipswich to complete their Christmas shopping, watched on in disbelief as the duo attacked a security guard as he took takings from WH Smith in Westgate Street yesterday.

One of the men elbowed the guard in the face and snatched the money box before the pair fled along Providence Street and into Crown Street.

WH Smith store manager Paul Heaver, 46, said staff were first alerted when the van's alarm system sounded.

He said: “Within two or three minutes the town centre security people and the police were here.

“I spoke to the guy who got attacked who had been elbowed in the mouth but was not hurt, just a bit shaken.”

Mr Heaver said the raid took place on the store's busiest day of trading this year.

He said: “I'm not sure if it was planned but I think it may have been opportunistic.

“The cash is covered by insurance so there's no loss to the business but someone has got the cash that was taken.”

The incident took place at around 4.40pm and forced WH Smith to close for the remainder of the day.

The area around the store was cordoned off for an hour while scenes of crime officers scoured the scene.

It is understood that detectives were able to glean dozens of witness statements given the high volume of people in the vicinity at the time.

Eyewitness Jack Miller, 19, was shopping when the drama unfolded as he stood outside Primark.

“As I understand the driver was elbowed in the face and then at least two people were running away,” he said.

“One of them was holding what looked like a cash box. A third person was chasing after them towards Marks and Spencer.

“The alarms were going off from the van saying, 'help - security van under attack, please call the police'.”

The security company, G4S Cash Services (UK), confirmed last night that their employee had suffered no serious injuries as a result of the attack.

A spokesman said: “The crew of one of our vehicles was attacked during a violent incident in Westgate Street, Ipswich at 4:34pm on 22nd December. The couriers involved were not injured.

Anyone with any information should contact Ipswich CID on 01473 613500.

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