POLICE are targeting up to 400 suspected robbers in the hunt for raiders who escaped with more than £20,000 from a supermarket in the region.

Detectives in Cleveland are working with officers from the North-West in the hunt for the two robbers, who struck outside a Yarm store, on Tuesday.

It was the latest in a number of similar attacks on security men in the region as they delivered money to cash machines.

The same store was the target of a similar raid in April.

In Tuesday’s incident, a masked man approached the G4S worker at about 12.15pm at the Somerfield store, in Thirsk Road, while youngsters from a nearby school were present.

He threatened the guard with a handgun before making off with the security case of cash and getting into a waiting dark red Nissan Primera, which was parked feet away with an accomplice in the driving street.

The car was later found abandoned in The Rigg, close to the store.

Detective Inspector Craig Hobbs, who is leading the inquiry, said the raid bore many similarities to a number of others in the Cleveland and North Yorkshire area in the past two years.

He said the Primera had been stolen from the Manchester area, where armed robberies are more common.

It is believed there may be up to 400 robbery suspects in and around the North- West who are now spreading their operations across the country. The theory is supported by the getaway car being spotted by CCTV cameras in the Teesside area from 7am on Tuesday.

“The security guard was not physically hurt, but is obviously shaken,” said Det Insp Hobbs.

“The robber threatened him with the gun. He got in excess of £20,000. The remains of the cash case were found in the Primera.

“We have recovered the car and it is now undergoing full forensic tests.

“There were witnesses about. It was lunchtime and Conyers School is nearby, so there were kids and members of the public here.

“But we are appealing for other witnesses to come forward, too. Especially, anyone who has seen the car.”

He said as the robbers had been in the Teesside area for several hours before the raid, they are likely to have visited a takeaway for food, picked up a newspaper at a shop or perhaps filled up with petrol.

He appealed for anyone who thinks they may have served the men to come forward.

Officers have also spoken to people at Teesside Shopping Park to see if the car had been seen there.

“We have been working with G4S to prevent further attacks, including the implementation of a covert operation called Follow That Van, where security vans are followed by police,” he added.

“However, if anyone can provide us with information, we would like them to call.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 01642-326326.