Detectives are looking for members of an organised burglary gang who tied up a security guard during an early- morning raid at a warehouse in Mitcham.

The gang, who were armed with spray bottles of potentially dangerous ammonia, targeted vehicle security firm Toad Plc in Drake Road at 1.40am on Wednesday, January 22.

They arrived at the premises in a 17.5 tonne lorry, which had been stolen beforehand in Buckinghamshire.

The men broke into the premises and tied up the security guard with industrial tape, but were disturbed by a member of the public who called police. Two men were later arrested near the scene and questioned in connection with the incident.

Police are seeking four or five gang members who escaped empty-handed and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

The lorry, a white, S-reg Mercedes with blue sides, was recovered at the scene, together with Vicks Sinex bottles filled with ammonia, which detectives say could potentially blind if sprayed into a victim's face. The men police are seeking are white and aged between 18 and 30.

A spokesman for Merton police said: "We are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the lorry parked up in the area to come forward."

Two men appeared before magistrates in Wimbledon last Friday, charged with robbery and aggravated burglary. They were remanded in custody and are due to appear at Kingston Crown Court tomorrow.

January 29, 2003 12:00