Police are appealing for witnesses after armed robbers made off with vans carrying computer equipment worth a quarter-of-a-million pounds.

The convoy of vans, two Transits and one smaller vehicle, all blue and bearing the initials FET, had been travelling along Clockhouse Lane at around 6pm last Tuesday, when a gang of up to six armed robbers attempted to stop them near an Esso petrol station.

One of the vans had managed to drive on, but two where stopped. The drivers and co-drivers were forced to get out of the vehicles, which were subsequently driven off by the bandits.

Handguns were seen but no shots were fired and no persons injured. It is also reported that the robbers were carrying sticks and bats.

DS Tim Smith, of Hounslow CID, described the incident: Early indications are that the gang wore balaclavas and dark clothing.

"Their vehicles are believed to have included a blue 4X4, but we are not yet in a position to describe any others or say exactly how many they may have used.

The vans are believed to have been driven to a location in Ashford, Surrey - approximately two miles away - where one was unloaded, and it is believed an unsuccessful attempt to gain entry to the second was made.

One van was then driven to Spinney Drive, Feltham, where it was abandoned at around 7pm. The second was driven to Riverside Road, Stanwell, where it was abandoned at a similar time.

"Anyone who knows that stretch of road knows how busy it is at that time in the evening and drivers stuck in traffic at that junction could well have seen the suspects, either as they waited at the Esso or nearby."

Inquiries are underway by Hounslow CID and anyone with information should call DS Tim Smith on 020 8247 6222, or call <a href="http://www.met.police.uk/crimestoppers/main.htm" target="_blank">Crimestoppers</a> anonymously on 0800 555 111.

July 16, 2002 12:00