ROBBERS STEAL £60,000 WORTH OF COMPUTERS

An employee was tied up by the raiders.

The 43-year-old man was working in the warehouse was at 7pm yesterday (January 29) when an 2003 registered, white Mercedes van drove straight in the open factory unit doors.

Five men jumped out of the vehicle wearing balaclavas and hats.

The men are described by the victim as one being Asian, one white and three black, all of whom spoke with London accents.

All were wearing dark clothing and the white male, a blue woollen hat.

They surrounded the victim and tied his hands, arms, ankles and mouth with black tape.

The victim was then bundled into the back of a work's van whilst the raiders loaded their van with computer equipment and made off.

The victim, who was shaken but otherwise unhurt, was able to escape a short while later and raise the alarm.

Amongst the items stolen were CD and DVD Roms and notebook computers, together worth about 60,000.

Detective Inspector Colin Dowle said: 'This is a well planned raid, committed by a determine group of professional criminals. However, Crowborough is a small community and I believe that this group of men, of different races, would be have been noticed by the locals either before, in the planning stage, or making off from the scene. I believe they would have been in the area before in order to plan this robbery.

'I would also appeal to local shops and businesses to review their CCTV and ask themselves the question 'Have I seen or served five men driving a 2003 registered white Mercedes van recently?'

Anyone with information is asked to Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.