Stolen Car Shows up in Attempted Armed Robbery

Police have growing concern over a stolen car which has been missing since March, as it reappeared this week at an attempted armed robbery in Middleton centre.

Detectives in Middleton have video footage of the car and three men, armed with machetes, outside the Abbey National Bank shortly before 9.55pm on Tuesday 5 April 2005.

The cash-in-transit van pulled up outside the bank and two security guards got out leaving the driver in the front seat. The guards were on their way into the building to fill up the cash machines when they were confronted by the three men.

The two guards managed to lock themselves inside the bank before the men were able to steal any money or attack them. The offenders attempted to smash the glass in the front doors but were unsuccessful. At this point they turned their attention to the van and began to attack it.

When their attempts to access the van failed it is believed they ran round to the back of the building and tried to get into the bank through a back door. This was also unsuccessful so they ran away from the scene across Middleton town centre in the direction of McDonalds.

The men got into a green Honda car parked outside the Dusty Miller pub. The car was driven away by a fourth person and was later found abandoned and burnt out on Boardman Lane in Middleton.

The car had previously been stolen from the Sedgeley area on Monday 21 March 2005. Detectives are keen to hear from anyone who may recognise the car, registration M890 TRJ.

Police are urging anyone with any information on the footage, or  the green Honda to contact the them immediately.

Detective Chief Inspector Jeff McMahon said: "The footage shows three men wielding potentially lethal weapons. The two security guards acted quickly and were able to lock themselves out of harms way before a more serious offence could have been committed.”