Workers trapped in armed robbery

A gang of masked armed robbers trapped three workers in the back of a lorry following a raid at a Staffordshire computer firm.

The workers were confronted by five men, wearing balaclavas and brandishing axes, claw hammers and ratchets.

All three members of staff were working late on Saturday night at GC Computing, at Stone Business Park.

They were threatened, forced to unlock doors throughout the building and point out where all the computer equipment was kept, before being forced into the back of a lorry and shut inside.

The gang then loaded thousands of pounds worth of computer equipment into another lorry and drove off.

They also stole the manager's red Mitsubishi sports car, which was later found dumped in a lay-by on the A34 opposite Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service headquarters at Pirehill.

A police spokesman said there was little doubt it was an organised raid.