Security guard shot during cash delivery
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A security guard was seriously injured when he was shot by armed robbers as he delivered cash to a supermarket today.
The man, aged in his 30s, was attacked as he carried cash from his Group 4 Securicor van outside the Tesco superstore in Tring, Hertfordshire.
A bystander, aged in his 20s, also suffered gunshot wounds as he attempted to intervene in the 7.30am raid.
Police said the security guard was seriously injured and was undergoing urgent medical treatment at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
The second victim was also taken to hospital but his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.
Police were hunting two men seen leaving the scene on a Triumph motorcycle, registration number P354 JYB.
The bike was recovered nearby in Treehanger Close and the men are believed to have made off in a second vehicle.
Detective Inspector Mick Trotman, who is investigating the raid, said a number of shots were fired.
He said: "This was a targeted pre-planned incident, which is a very rare occurrence in Tring, and we are treating this very seriously.
"I am keen to speak with anyone who may have seen this motorcycle make off or who may have seen or heard anything at the time of the incident which could help our investigation to come forward immediately.
"If anyone was in the area at the time and saw anything or has any information on who the offenders might be, I would strongly urge them to come forward."
A Tesco spokesman said: "We are co-operating fully with the police."
Anyone with any information is asked to ring 0845 3300222 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Speaking at the scene, Detective Chief Inspector Michael Hanlon said the security guard was in a critical condition and undergoing surgery.
He refused to confirm what type of weapon had been used in the raid, but said it was not an air rifle.
He said: "We can confirm that two men suffered gunshot injuries.
"One was a Group 4 Securicor guard and the other was a member of the public who came to his assistance.
"The offenders made off on a stolen motorcycle registration number P354 JYB which was abandoned in a nearby road.
"We believe they then transferred to a white van. We urge the public to contact us with any information.
"This was a rare incident in Tring and we want to reassure everyone that it was an isolated incident."
The blue Group 4 Securicor van remained at the store, just metres from the cash machine where the shooting happened.
The shop stands on the sparsely populated London Road on the outskirts of Tring.
The store remains closed today, blocked by police cordons at the entrance. Forensics officers can be seen around the entrance and going into the store.
Some cars are still parked in the car park close to the cash machine, which is located just to the right of the store entrance.
A small group of Tesco employees were at the closed store but said they could not comment.
John Prestott, who lives in Hemel Hempstead and is a council worker in Tring, said: "I've been here over two years and the only thing that's attracted the police before was when a double-decker bus hit some scaffolding.
"I've never heard about anything like this in Tring before."