Guard and passer-by shot in raid at Tesco

A security guard and a man who went to help him were shot today during an attempted robbery outside a Tesco supermarket.

The guard, in his thirties, was undergoing surgery and was said to be in a serious condition. The passer-by who intervened is believed to have suffered minor injuries.

Two men are being hunted by police. They drove away from the supermarket in London Road, Tring, on a Triumph motorcycle which was later found dumped nearby.

The thieves struck as a Group 4 Securicor van delivered cash for the ATM outside the store.

Shoppers ran for cover as shots rang out just after 7.30am. The robbers are believed to have escaped emptyhanded. Police said both victims taken to Stoke Mandeville hospital and said the weapon was believed to be an air rifle. Detective Inspector Mick Trotman added: "This was a targeted pre-planned incident, which is a very rare occurrence in Tring, and we are treating this very seriously."

Hours earlier a Group 4 Securicor guard was forced to lie on the floor and a gun was pointed at the head of another when they were ambushed by three men in Andover, Hampshire.