Thieves targeted a security guard collecting money from Tesco’s.

A SECURITY guard was threatened and robbed in Stevenage town centre yesterday (Monday) afternoon.

It happened just after 1.30pm outside Tesco’s near the petrol station as Group 4 security staff were making a cash pick up.

The guard had just completing the operation when he was approached by a man who demanded the guard hand over the cash bags.

Initially the guard resisted but the offender threatened him with what is believed to be a handgun.

Once he had the cash bags the robber ran to a nearby getaway vehicle, a black Mercedes A190 saloon which had been parked up near the taxi rank.

The car was running on false plates showing ET02 3BU - the actual registration number is X595 KGN. It had been stolen last month from London.

The driver drove out of the car park and the vehicle was dumped sometime before 1.50pm at the entrance to Broom Barns Community Primary School, just off Homestead Moat, Stevenage. The pair then made off in an unknown direction.

The robber, who was a passenger in the vehicle, is described as being 5ft 4in tall with possibly dark hair hidden by a balaclava. He was dressed in a black fleece, black top and wore light coloured denim jeans. The driver of the vehicle appeared slightly taller and was in the vehicle throughout.

The incident would have been witnessed by dozens of shoppers.

Detective sergeant Graeme Walsingham, who is investigating, said: “This offence happened in a very public area and I am urging anyone who saw anything suspicious either prior to or during the robbery to make contact.

“Equally, has anyone seen this vehicle or saw what happened when it was abandoned outside the primary school?

“Thankfully no one was hurt but it’s vital we track down the offenders involved. Anyone with information should contact police on 0845 33 00 222.”