Coventry licensees warned of raids

Coventry licensees are being warned to double check security following a series of raids by men armed with iron bars.

In the latest incident three men forced their way into the Old Shepherd pub in Keresley Road, Keresley, in an early morning raid and broke open fruit machines escaping with £500.

Licensee Nikki Stanton said: "They knew exactly what they were doing. They went straight for the bandits. Within a minute and half they were running out of the pub with the contents of the two machines."

Stanton said that CCTV video showed the men were carrying iron bars.

Police are now considering links with other similar raids at pubs in the area.

A police investigator commented: "We now have had four break-ins in the past month and we are warning publicans to be on their guard."

Traditional targets for robbers like banks and building societies have tightened security over recent years and many robbers are now looking to pubs as easy targets for raids.

Licensees are advised to empty all AWP machines after closing and leave the backs open so that potential burglars can see they are empty. They should transfer all takings to a secure place, preferably a safe.

Police fear many of the raids involve organised gangs who visit the pubs in the weeks before the attack to check the position of the machines and accessibility through windows and doors.

Licensees or barstaff who see anything suspicious or have any information on the raids should contact their local police or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.