Police hunt vodka raiders

Police were today hunting armed thieves who made off with five lorry-loads of vodka in a warehouse raid.

The masked gang attacked a security guard with a knife when they targeted the depot in Warrington, Cheshire, early yesterday.

The guard was tied up as the gang used five curtain-sided HGVs to empty the warehouse of its contents.

The stolen vodka includes bottles destined for Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Co-operative shops as well as brands Royal Czar, Imperial and Moskova.

All were in 1.5 or 1-litre bottles.

Cheshire Police said the robbery was planned well in advance.

The warehouse, on Clayton Road, was targeted between 1am and 4am yesterday.

Police were called at around 5.45am and found the security guard still tied up.

He was taken to hospital badly shaken by the incident but not seriously injured.

Any witnesses to the incident or anybody who has been offered stolen vodka for sale is asked to call Cheshire Police on 0845 458 0000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.