DETECTIVES have revealed that five more people have been arrested in connection with the multi-million pound robbery at the Securitas depot at Tonbridge.

And senior police officers say they are convinced the net is tightening on the armed gang responsible.

It has been confirmed by Securitas that the raiders escaped with £53,116,760 in cash, after kidnapping depot manager Colin Dixon and his family and tying up 14 staff at the depot last week.

Following a series of targeted policing activities on Sunday, detectives are now questioning two men, who remain in custody. Two men arrested on Monday in south London are also being questioned.

A fifth man, arrested on Sunday has been released on police bail following questioning.

Kent Police have confirmed that arrests made on Sunday in Tankerton, near Whitstable, were connected with the inquiry and specialist police firearms officers were involved.

Police firearms teams were also used in the latest arrest in London. No one was hurt in either incident.

Meanwhile searches, some involving armed officers because of the dangerous nature of the gang, have been made at a number of addresses in Kent and across the South-East.

Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Leppard said: “We are gathering important evidence and following a number of significant lines of inquiry. I am pleased with progress and remain confident that we will catch those responsible.”

Forensic experts continue to examine the vehicles and other items recovered from various locations in Kent. These include the cages used for carrying cash, found in fields on Detling Hill, near Thurnham on Friday, and the contents of the white Ford Transit van found at the Ashford International Hotel, including £1.3m in cash, plus balaclavas, guns and flak jackets.

Mr Leppard renewed his appeal for help in finding the white Renault Midlum lorry used in the raid and possibly also to dump the cash cages.

He said: “Where is this lorry now? Is there an unfamiliar vehicle parked or possibly abandoned near you. Please keep a lookout for it, as we are very keen to find the lorry.

“Don’t forget, there is a reward of up to £2 million offered by Securitas and its insurers for information leading to the recovery of the stolen money and the arrest and conviction of those involved in the robbery."

He stressed: “I would like to thank the public for their enormous support. We have now received more than 1,300 calls on our hotline and some of them have produced produced really important leads for us.”

Anyone with information should telephone police on 01622 652361 or 01622 652366.