Delivery driver robbed at St Leonards petrol station

An Iveco 8 tonne truck was robbed of a load of cigarettes on the forecourt of the Sainsbury’s service station at John Macadam Way, St Leonards, at 7.30am on Monday, July 25.

The delivery vehicle was parked up on the forecourt at the far side of the service station, nearest Sedlescombe Road North, according to police.

The driver was in the back preparing to unload items intended for the service station shop when a white Peugeot Boxer van, driven by a white man, pulled up behind it and two other men, both white and about 5ft 9ins tall and in dark clothing, wearing ski type masks to obscure their faces, jumped out of the side of the van.

They climbed into the back of the delivery vehicle and pushed the driver while they stole cigarettes from inside.

One threw them out of the back of the vehicle to the second, who loaded them into the Peugeot van.

After several minutes the two offenders shut the driver in the rear of his vehicle and left in the Peugeot van.

The delivery driver managed to raise the attention of a male customer by shouting for help.

He was released unhurt from the vehicle and was able to raise the alarm.

The quantity and value of the cigarettes is unknown, police added.

Detective Constable Ian Dearling said: “This was clearly a planned attack and proved to be a frightening experience for the delivery driver.

“We are asking anyone who was on the forecourt of the Sainsbury’s service station at that time and who saw the white Peugeot van pull up next to the delivery lorry, to contact us.

“In particular we would like to trace the person who released the driver from the vehicle.

“There were also a number of people buying fuel and using the shop whilst this was going on, who may not have realised what was happening.”

Anyone with information can contact police via [email protected] or call 101 quoting serial 225 of 25/7.

Alternatively the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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