Several thousand pounds offered as a reward

A substantial cash reward is being offered to anyone who can help identify any of the offenders involved in a series of robberies at retail premises in Warwickshire.

J Sainsburys plc who is the latest store to be attacked, is offering several thousand pounds to anyone who gives Police information which leads to the charge of any of the offenders.

On November 29, four masked men armed with what are described as crow bars and fire extinguishers, threatened staff working at Sainsbury’s Supermarket in Rugby in the early hours of the morning.

At around 1.48am four men went into the store by breaking in through a fire exit. They threatened a security officer and stole an undisclosed amount of money from the cash office.

The raiders smashed the telephones on the premises and stole a number of mobile phones from staff at the store.

The robbers were described as white men and who spoke with local accents. One was about 5ft 9 inches tall, of stocky build and was wearing a motorcycle jacket.

Since the beginning of the year, there have been 34 retail based robberies in the County, 22 in the north and 12 in the south. Most of the premises attacked have been either supermarkets and supermarket petrol stations.

Like the robbery at Sainsburys, the offenders, usually all men, either wait outside of the premises, force an entry or the balaclava clad offenders go in through the front door. Demands for cash are made of staff, violence is often threatened and members of the public have been present whilst the robberies happen.

DCI Ken Lawrence, head of Warwickshire's headquarters based Investigations Unit said: "These robberies appear to be well planned offences, carried out by a group of offenders who work in a very calculated way. During the last eleven months, a considerable amount of goods has been stolen including cigarettes, electrical goods and alcohol, as well as a large amount of cash. Thankfully, no-one has been seriously injured during the robberies, but we are concerned that the ruthlessness with which these offenders operate, may escalate into more violent confrontations.

He also said: "Sainsburys have shown great community spirit in offering such a large sum to anyone providing information leading to the charge of just one of the offenders' and I would encourage members of the public to help as much as they can."

Anyone with information is asked to call Warwickshire Police Investigations Unit on 01926 415000 or Crimestoppers anonymously.