Jewellery shop owners 'terrified' after masked raid horror

Masked raiders held the owners of a Yorkshire Street jewellery shop captive in a van and demanded the keys to the store after the couple had locked up for the night on Wednesday evening (4 February).

The pair were 'terrified' as the man was hit over the head and attacked and his wife was driven round in the van before being dumped nearby.

The incident occurred shortly after 7.10pm as the couple were leaving Britannia Jewellery when they were approached by four masked men armed with an axe and two baseball bats.

The white LDV Convoy van was later found abandoned on Sweetbriers Close after an attempt had been made to set it alight.

Detective Constable Jonathan Carter, of Rochdale CID, said: "This was an absolutely terrifying incident.

"The man was left with a minor head injury. Fortunately his wife was not injured, but they've both been left understandably shaken by their ordeal.

"All that fear was caused by robbers who ended up getting away with nothing.

"I'd urge anyone who may have seen any part of the attack outside the jeweller's or if they saw that van, especially when it was abandoned an hour and a half later, to call us."

Anyone with any information is asked to call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4644, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.