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Kent Police speak on
sentencing

A cage fighter from Strood has been jailed for
18 years for his part in Britain’s biggest cash robbery.

Paul Allen, 31, pleaded guilty to conspiracy
to commit robbery, conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to possess a
firearm.

More than £50m was taken in the robbery in
February 2006.

Allen pleaded guilty on the basis that he was
not at the depot on the day of the robbery or part of the gang
which kidnapped the Securitas employees and the Dixon family.

Commenting on the verdict, Senior
Investigating Officer Det Ch Insp Mick Judge said: “Allen played a
pivotal role in this robbery and his part was crucial to the
robbery in February 2006.

“The robbery was violent and those involved in
the organising of the robbery and the robbers themselves had no
regard for the safety of others when they entered the depot taking
£53m.

“The Dixons, their young child and the
Securitas employees went through a horrific night back in 2006 and
many continue to suffer following their horrendous experience.”

Five men were sentenced in January 2008 for
their part in the robbery bringing the total number of years
imprisonment to 158 years.

Paul Allen was arrested on June 26, 2006, in
Rabat, Morocco in respect of domestic offences.

These criminal proceedings had to be concluded
before extradition could take place.

Allen was extradited back to this country in 2008.

Kent Police's Chief Constable Michael Fuller
said: “When I launched this investigation I made it clear that we
would go anywhere in the world to find those responsible for this
violent crime. We have done that and I'm pleased those
perpetrators have been brought to justice.

“Allen's guilty plea means an end to this part
of the proceedings in this country. It does not mean an end to the
investigation and by no means an end to recovering the outstanding
money or assets obtained through the proceeds of this robbery.

“The victims of this crime still live with the memories of what the
robbers put them through."

The robbers kidnapped manager of the depot
Colin Dixon and his family in order to gain access to the Securitas
depot in Tonbridge on the night of Tuesday 21 February in 2006.

Held at gunpoint the Dixons, and 14 other
Securitas employees, were forced to cooperate with the robbers
whilst they loaded £53m, in old and new notes, from the depot into
a 7.5 tonne lorry. The men forcibly locked the Dixons and the
employees into money cages before escaping in the early hours of
Wednesday morning.

Immediately a team from Kent Police's Serious
and Organised Crime Unit launched a full scale investigation that
quickly uncovered the gang's involvement.

A team of 100 police officers and support
staff were assigned to the inquiry and within two weeks vehicles
and equipment used in the robbery had been recovered along with
over £21m in cash and a number of people had been charged and
remanded in custody.

On sentencing, Judge Mr Justice Penry-Davey
commended those involved in the investigation.