Sledgehammer used in cash robbery

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The driver of a cash-in-transit van was hit with a sledgehammer during a robbery at Tesco Express on Whitworth Road this morning (Monday 29 September).

The man was in the car park of the store when he was attacked by two men, one carrying the sledgehammer and the other armed with a baseball bat at 10.20am.

The driver's injuries have been described as minor by a Greater Manchester Police spokesman.

The two offenders had pulled up outside the shop in a grey Citreon Picasso and made off in the same car after they had thieved a substantial amount of cash.

The Citreon was later found abandoned on Thrum Hall Lane.

Police are now appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information to come forward.

Detective Inspector Daryl Chadwick, based at Rochdale CID, said: "We are still in the very early stages of our inquiry so it is vital we gather as much information as possible.

"The thieves were armed and resorted to violence so it is vital that any information people may have is passed to us so we can apprehend these men."

Anyone with information is asked to call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 8552 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.