Armed robbery at shop in Middleton

Three men wearing balaclavas, one armed with a crowbar, entered a Co-op store on Kenyon Lane and demanded that staff open the safe on Monday 20 March.

When one staff member refused, the man with the crowbar grabbed him around the neck and the offenders then fled with three tills containing cash.

They left in a dark coloured vehicle, possibly a black Vauxhall Vectra, and drove at speed down Sandy Lane towards Grimshaw Lane, nearly colliding with an oncoming vehicle.

The man with the crowbar is described as being of stocky build, with a Mancunian accent and was wearing a grey or tan hooded top.

Another offender is described as slim build and wearing a black hooded top with the word ‘BOSS’ written in white on the chest.

Detective Constable Claire Bracey, of GMP’s Rochdale borough, said: “These men have put innocent staff members through a distressing ordeal, all for petty cash from a till.

“This happened near a busy junction in a residential area so someone must’ve seen something.

“If you witnessed the incident or have any other information that may help us then I urge you to get in touch.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 1703, 101 quoting incident number 2337 of 20/02/17, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.