A SECURITY van carrying "a huge sum of money" was raided by a gang armed with a disc cutter at Middlebrook retail park. 

Two men tried to break into the van at about 6.20am on yesterday in the car park outside Marks and Spencer.

They used a petrol-powered disc cutter to try to force entry through the front door after removing security bolts.

After several futile minutes trying to open the van, they drove away empty-handed in a grey Volkswagen Golf.

Two security officers were said to be unhurt but shaken after they left their van to stock up a cash machine nearby.

The duo launched the attempted robbery moments after the security officers had left the vehicle.

The first robber was white, wearing dark-coloured Adidas tracksuit bottoms with white stripes.

His accomplice was also white, and was wearing dark clothes and trainers with white soles.

Det Insp Charlotte Cadden said: “The investigation into this organised and obviously pre-planned attempted robbery is still very much ongoing.

“Luckily the delivery drivers were completely unharmed, if a little shaken by the experience.

“The vehicle was carrying a huge amount of money at the time, as the van was travelling around the area stocking up cash machines ahead of the festive period.

“Fortunately they are extremely secure and the chances of criminals gaining access in this way is exceptionally unlikely, as proved to be the case yesterday.

“We do need anyone who believes they may have seen these men in the area at the time, or even the car they were driving, to contact police on the numbers below.”

Anyone with information can call police on 0161 8565655 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.