The 2006 Securitas depot robbery in Tonbridge was the largest cash robbery in UK history, with nearly £53 million stolen.
Key Facts
- Cash stolen
- £52,996,760 GBP
- Cash left behind
- £154 million GBP
- Workers tied up
- 14
- People arrested by 2007
- 36
- Cash recovered in Welling
- £9 million GBP
- Cash unrecovered by 2016
- £32 million GBP
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
A criminal gang conducted surveillance on the Securitas cash depot in Tonbridge and planted an insider, Emir Hysenaj, within the facility. On the evening of 21 February 2006, they kidnapped the depot manager and his family to coerce access to the building.
Using the abducted manager to gain entry, seven criminals tricked their way into the Securitas depot, restrained 14 workers at gunpoint, and stole £52,996,760 in sterling banknotes belonging to the Bank of England. The gang abandoned a further £154 million they could not transport before fleeing in getaway vehicles.
Kent Police recovered approximately £17 million in subsequent raids, and 36 people were arrested by 2007. Five individuals were convicted at the Old Bailey, including the inside man. Alleged mastermind Lee Murray evaded UK extradition from Morocco, while accomplice Paul Allen was eventually jailed after a 2008 retrial. By 2016, £32 million remained unrecovered.