Five men and one woman were arrested yesterday in relation to a series of cash in transit robberies.

Officers from the Flying Squad carried out co-ordinated raids at 6.30am at sixteen addresses including properties in Croydon, Lambeth and Hillingdon.

Those arrested are suspected of being members of a gang who planned or committed at least six cash in transit robberies between October 2012 and November 2013, in Pinner, Hayes and Tulse Hill.

They remain in police custody at a south London police station.

Detectives believe those arrested may be responsible for a cash in transit robbery where sentimental jewellery was stolen from a custodian as he exited a bank in Hayes in November.

The jewellery which was in a safety deposit box, had belonged to 11-year-old Nivakar Arunthavalingam who was killed in road traffic accident in March 2008.

His mother Amirthaluxmy made an emotional appeal for the return of the treasured items a few days after the robbery, but they have yet to be found.

Detective Sergeant Hywel Davies said: "Whilst we are in the early stages of investigation, we do believe that the robbery in East Avenue is connected to the others.

"We have yet to recover the sentimental items belonging to the Arunthavalingams and the family are clearly very upset over the loss of the items which have a significant sentimental value to them.

"Mrs Arunthavalingam has not only loss her son but she has now loss the few remaining items she dearly treasured which belonged to Nivakar.

"I would urge anyone, including those from the pawn-broking industry, who has been offered a significant amount of Asian jewellery to please get in contact with us."

Anyone with any information is asked to call the Barnes Flying Squad on 020 7230 8666 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

 

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