ROBBERS who held-up two Securicor vans in Ipswich attacked the same crew in both raids, police revealed today.Balaclava-clad robbers snatched cash in two attacks in Nacton Road in November 2005 and February this year.

ROBBERS who held-up two Securicor vans in Ipswich attacked the same crew in both raids, police revealed today.

Balaclava-clad robbers snatched cash in two attacks in Nacton Road in November 2005 and February this year.

In the second raid a security guard was struck on the face repeatedly with the butt of a gun and was taken to Ipswich Hospital for treatment.

Detective Inspector David Cutler said the assault appeared to be “needless violence” as the Securicor guards had co-operated with the robbers.

He said officers now believed the robberies could be linked and were working with forces in Essex and London in a bid to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Security has also been stepped up in the wake of the raids and uniformed police officers are being asked to drive alongside security vans, where possible, in a bit to put off would-be robbers.

It is five weeks to the day since the second raid on February 10 and police have today issued a renewed appeal for witnesses to both incidents.

DI Cutler added: “I am sure there is some planning behind these offences, they will have done their homework.

“For criminals even planning is risky. If they are looking around the place, particularly in an area like Ipswich where there are still good tight communities where people know each other, people might see something.”

DI Cutler said police wanted to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in the weeks leading up to the raids, even if they did not believe it was significant.

He said police were also keen to hear from anyone who had seen a red VW Golf in the Ipswich area leading up to the second robbery.

The car was found abandoned in Serpentine Road and is believed to have parked in Nacton Crescent where the men used it as a get-away vehicle before collecting another car.

He said there was nothing to suggest the culprits were local to the area but said people should look out for anyone who suddenly appeared to be spending a lot of money.

He said he wanted to reassure the public that such incidents were rare and added: “The investigation is going well and we are following up leads that we have received.”

Anyone with information should contact Ipswich police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.