POLICE have launched an armed crack down on cash van attacks.

This week forces from Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Cheshire, Cumbria and North Wales began working together to safeguard security vehicles during delivery and pick-up timesand the vigil will continue until into the New Year.

Special patrols featuring firearms officers and CCTV vehicles will escort security vehicles making normal deliveries. In addition, the force helicopters when returningn from calls will shadow security vehicles.

Detective Superintendent Ian Foster, Regional Intellegence Co-ordinator for the North West region, said moves to foil cash-in-transit robberies had been incredibly successful throughout the north west.

He explained: "CIT crime will not be tolerated."