Hotel appeal in cash van robbery

Police vehicles pursued the suspects through Carlisle

Police say a gang of robbers who targeted a security van in Carlisle may have spent the previous night in a hotel or guesthouse on Tyneside.

Money was stolen from a van making a delivery to the Co-op cash machine on Central Avenue, Harraby, on Tuesday.

The vehicle set off from Gateshead, and police want to hear from anyone in the area who had guests with Merseyside accents on Monday night.

Four men, three from Liverpool, have been arrested.

During the robbery, three security guards were threatened with blunt weapons. One received minor facial injuries.

White Audi

The robbers escaped in a blue Vauxhall Zafira, but they pulled over on Argyll Drive and got into a white Audi. One man was arrested at the scene.

The Audi was chased by police and later stopped near Cumdivock, Dalston, where two men were taken into custody.

A fourth man was arrested in Liverpool on Wednesday morning.

All those being questioned are aged between 22 and 26.

Detectives believe other suspects may have left Carlisle in a third vehicle, possibly a dark-coloured saloon car.

Anyone with information should contact the Cumbria force.