01 March 2006

Progress with the heist

The initial approach of the police to the Tonbridge robbery appeared to be based on two rather contradictory assertions. First, that the robbery was well conceived, professionally planned and executed with "military precision"; and, second, that the robbers would nevertheless be quickly caught, not least because of the difficulties of laundering the vast sums of money. Now, more than a week after the event, the sudden absence of press statements from the boys in blue seems to suggest the possibility that, having planned the robbery so well, perhaps the robbers have also carefully planned what they would do afterwards. Meanwhile the police are engaged in what might be described as displacement activity - arresting and then releasing people, examining abandoned vehicles, appealing for help from the public - as set out for example in today's Independent (here):
"Forensic specialists were examining a white 7.5 ton Renault Midlum truck last night that was discovered in Kent. A similar lorry was filmed on surveillance cameras being driven out of the Securitas cash depot in Tonbridge, Kent, loaded with cash, on Wednesday last week.
Police hunting the six-man robbery gang were also searching a farm in Kent yesterday for traces of the stolen cash. Dozens of officers and sniffer dogs examined outbuildings, a well and fields at Elderden Farm near Maidstone...
Kent Police are hoping that examination of the lorry will yield clues to the identity of the robbers. Detectives have continued to carry out raids in Kent and yesterday arrested a woman in connection with the inquiry. Four men are being questioned, while a further seven suspects have been arrested and released on bail."

Is the investigation actually going anywhere?

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