A GANG who robbed a security van in Stoke-on- Trent may come from Huddersfield.

The three robbers who struck in the town on Saturday lunchtime had stolen at least one of their getaway vehicles from Huddersfield on Friday.

Police in Stoke-on- Trent are exploring the possibility the raid could be linked to similar crimes in other parts of the country.

The gang struck at Booker Cash and Carry in Stoke at 1pm on Saturday.

The gang had been waiting for a Securicor van to pull up for a delivery.

Just as the security staff were collecting cash, the men grabbed the Securicor driver and punched him.

They fled in a white Arriva transit van clutching a bag of money. The vehicle was later dumped with its engine running.

The robbers transferred to a blue Mitsubishi sports car with a large spoiler on the back that had been spotted parked in the area that morning. The car did not have a tax disc and has yet to be traced.

The transit van - on long-term lease with the Royal Mail - had been stolen from Huddersfield on Friday morning. It was then fitted with stolen plates, bearing the registration FV52 MKN.

Police say it was a distinctive vehicle because the letters PAFC were scrawled in dust on the back.

Police are urging anyone who saw the van or the Mitsubishi car to contact them.

The security driver was left shocked, but not seriously hurt.

One of the robbers is Afro-Caribbean and stocky with short shaved hair and he wore a blue T-shirt.

The second man is Asian and the getaway driver is a white muscular man.

Anyone with information should contact Stoke-on-Trent CID on 01785 234871.