Armed robbers throw petrol in security guard's face during Lymm Hotel raid (From This Is Cheshire)

Armed robbers throw petrol in security guard's face during Lymm Hotel raid

4:59pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

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ARMED robbers threw petrol in a security guard's face and threatened her with a shotgun during a raid at the Lymm Hotel this morning.

Three masked attackers knocked the woman to the ground and kicked her.

"This has been well-planned and they have gone to a lot of effort. They are clearly violent and were willing to go to great lengths to carry out their robbery."

DS Gordon Wilson

They torched their van before escaping with cash in a silver Mercedes being driven by a fourth man.

Police believe the men struck around 9.50am, after following the Securicor van to the hotel car park on Whitbarrow Road.

Detective Sargeant Gordon Wilson said: "The lady has collected an amount of cash and as she has gone back to the van three men wearing black balaclavas and clothing have approached her.

"One has sprayed petrol in her face and she has seen the shotgun before being manhandled to the ground and assaulted.

"This has been well-planned and they have gone to a lot of effort. They are clearly violent and were willing to go to great lengths to carry out their robbery."

The woman was kicked and punched while on the ground and suffered bruising. She is said to have been left badly shaken.

The amount of money stolen has not been disclosed, however, it is not thought to be a large sum.

A lot of people may have witnessed the attack, as the hotel was very busy with a large number of Glasgow Rangers fans inside.

Phillip Pasteiner, general manager at the hotel, praised his staff for their 'swift' response to the attack.

He said: "During the incident, a vehicle was set alight which quickly spread to a nearby staff car.

"Our immediate priority was the safety and welfare of our guests and employees, and as a precautionary measure we took the decision to evacuate the hotel while this was brought under control by the fire services.

"We were able to return to the building within 30 minutes and are doing everything we can to minimise the effect on our guests, who have now resumed their activities, and our employees who will be offered ongoing support and counselling should they wish it.

Officers say the registration plate of the Mercedes was definitely cloned and its real owner has been contacted. The registration was KT04LSJ.

The registration of the white Vauxhall Combo that was set on fire may also have been cloned. It was VN54ZVT.

A cash box stolen during the raid has now been recovered by police.

Anybody with any information about the attack or anyone who may have seen the silver Mercedes speeding away in the Statham Avenue area is asked to contact DS Wilson on 01244 615842, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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