Kent police are investigating a connection with the £53.5m cash found in safety deposit boxes in London yesterday and the missing Securitas millions.

Detectives from the Metrepolitan Police recovered millions of pounds from the boxes, believed to be the proceeds from armed robberies and international drug trafficking.

Now Kent Police have confirmed they are checking out any possible links with the Kent cash heist in February 2006.

A spokesman said: "We are working with the Met police to ascertain if there are any links."

Just under £21 million of the stolen £53m from Securitas has been recovered so far.

In January this year, Lea Rusha, Stuart Royle, Jetmir Bucpapa, Roger Coutts and Emir Hysenaj were convicted of conspiracy to rob, conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to possess firearms in connection with the robbery at the Tonbridge depot.

Rusha, Bucpapa, Coutts and Royle were ordered to serve at least 15 years in prison. Inside man Hysenaj was told he must serve at least 10 years.

Police have recently warned the crooks they could face longer sentences unless they help police retrieve the missing money.