Guard beaten by thugs in club cash raid

Jul 17 2007 By Mark Cowan, Birmingham Mail

THUGS wielding an iron bar beat a security guard over the head during a broad daylight attack.

The guard had just picked up cash from Longbridge Social Club at 11.10am yesterday when the gang pounced.

He was hit once over the back of the head.

Police said the guard, who worked for Security Plus, avoided serious injury because he was wearing his helmet.

The gang of three offenders made off from the scene, in Bristol Road South, Northfield, with a "substantial" amount of cash.

They fled in a black Peugeot 406 car which was found on fire in nearby Quarry Lane a few minutes later.

Det Insp Richard Mayhew said the gang, described as two black men and one white man, jumped into a second vehicle which raced off towards Bristol Road South.

He said: "Quarry Lane is a busy thoroughfare and a bus route and it may be passers-by or passengers may have seen the car parked up near the junction with Winchester Gardens or seen the second vehicle make off at speed.

"A substantial amount of cash was stolen.

"Thankfully the guard was not seriously injured. He was shocked and suffered minor injuries but he has been able to provide useful information to police."

Forensics experts spend yesterday combing the scenes for clues and the wreckage of the car was taken away in the hope it could yield crucial information.

Police also carried out house-to-house inquiries and will also be examining CCTV footage.

Detectives at Bournville Lane are investigating and can be contacted on 0845 113 5000.