THE security guard attacked and robbed at the Booker cash and carry store in Burnley this week was the same man who was assaulted in a carbon copy raid on the same premises last year.

Police have confirmed that the Securicor guard has now suffered twice in almost identical circumstances.

Detective Inspector Simon Leach said: "There is nothing significant in it; he has just been very unfortunate.''

The guard, who is in his late 50s, was hit on the head by a weapon but was saved from injury by his helmet. He is said to have been badly shaken by the attack.

Securicor are offering a reward of up to £5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the offenders.

The guard had already placed three cash bags into the Securicor van when he was attacked at about 4.35pm on Tuesday.

He put up a resistance and during the struggle another plastic bag was torn in two. He kept hold of one half but the robber escaped with the other part containing £10,000 in £20 notes.

Police now believe a teenager seen hiding in bushes in Printers Fold, Lowerhouse, not far from the robbery scene in Gannow Lane, was one of the robbers.

He was carrying a grey cash bag which police now believe was from the robbery. He was about 15, 5ft 10ins tall, and wore a dark grey shirt and black trousers. Police want to hear from anyone who was using the footpath between Printers Fold and Lowerhouse Lane between about 4.30pm and 5.30pm on Tuesday.

They also want information about two vehicles used in the robbery.

One is a white Ford Sierra, F278 OCU, left on the cash and carry forecourt. The car originates from the Greater Manchester area but has East Lancashire connections.

The getaway vehicle, a maroon Vauxhall Cavalier, L637 FBU, was stolen from Roegreave Road, Oswaldtwistle, overnight on June 19/20.

Police want to know where it has been since then. Police have evidence that it may have been hidden outdoors, possibly in the East Lancashire area.

The attacker was white, 5ft 9-11ins tall and slim. He was wearing dark clothing, sunglasses and a dark pork pie hat with a full trim.

The Cavalier driver is also white. He was wearing a white woollen hat and sunglasses. That vehicle was abandoned in back Lowerhouse Lane near to back Hordley Street.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Burnley CID on 01282 425001.

The Booker store was robbed in identical circumstances on the late afternoon of Tuesday, November 24, when a substantial amount of money was taken.

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