Police are appealing for information after a security guard had a cash box robbed from him.

The security guard, who works for Loomis, was in Brentwood High Street at 1:15pm yesterday, having left his van near New Look, when a man ran at him and demanded the cash box the guard was holding. 

He grabbed it from his hand and left in a blue Ford Fiesta driven by another person. 

The box, which was empty, was found dumped in parking bay in Park Road, Brentwood, at 2.40pm, after the purple dye had activated. 

Detective Sergeant David Wilkinson, of Brentwood CID, said: “The security guard was unhurt and fortunately there was no money in the box. 

“We know the Fiesta had a number plate of LP16 EXD, but these were false plates. 

“I’m appealing for witnesses who saw what happened, or saw the car and its occupants in the Park Road area. 

“The suspect is also very likely to have purple dye on him.” 

The suspect was described as white, aged in his mid-30s, of stocky build and about 6ft tall. He wore a dark baseball cap, a black jacket and gardening gloves. 

There is no description available of the car driver. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Brentwood CID on 101. 
Alternatively, contact independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org