Police find car linked to the M&S robbery
THE police have confirmed that they have recovered a car linked to the so-called 'tiger kidnapping in Belfast almost a fortnight ago in which up to £90,000 was taken from Marks and Spencers store in Sprucefield.
The silver coloured Vauxhall Astra was found in an underground car park in central Belfast on Christmas Eve.
It is understood £90,000 was handed over and the family were later released unharmed. During the tiger kidnapping' a Marks & Spencers employee's partner and her two infant children were held in Hannahstown on December 18, 2008 shortly after 4am.
The family were then forced into a blue Transit van and driven to the Boucher Road Retail Park.
The woman's partner was then ordered to go to Sprucefield Retail Park where he was forced to take money from a safe. He then handed over the stolen money to members of the gang sitting in a silver car nearby.
The mother and her two children were late' able to free themselves from the van.
Police believe that a van used in the robbery had been fitted with false number plates which had been stolen in Garvagh, Co. Derry three months ago.
Marks and Spencer are offering a £10,0011 reward to anyone who can help catch the robbers
The Police Service of Northern Ireland is advising all business owners to ensure they have appropriate security measures in place following a number of kidnap robberies.
Detective Superintendent Peter Farrar of the PSNI Serious Crime Branch says businesses of all sizes could be targeted.
"It is important to emphasise that these so-called 'tiger kidnaps' are becoming less and less. However they are very serious and very
violent crimes, and business owners, whether they run a large retail unit or just a corner shop, must ensure that they have good security surrounding their premises and indeed their homes," said the superintendent.
"The hostages, usually relatives of a key holder or manager, are kept under very frightening conditions, and the victim is under huge duress as their family members are often threatened with violence."
"Businesses owners need to ask themselves 'What preventative measures do I have in place to stop this from happening?"
