Schoolgirl caught up in armed robbery

Ordeal: The young girl was pushed into a corner and threatened as masked robbers raided the newsagents

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A young girl was left terrified after masked robbers threatened her in a newsagents.

The callous thieves, armed with sticks and a crook lock, burst into Connell's Newsagents on Benfield Street, Heywood on Friday night, where they also threatened a 76-year-old lady who was working behind the till.

Two shoppers, a woman and a 12-year-old girl were pushed into a corner while the gang climbed over the till and helped themselves to cash and cigarettes.

Another robber ripped the till out and all three fled in a blue hatchback car parked outside, described as being similar to an old-style Vauxhall Astra. The car sped off and turned left onto Hind Hill Street.

The women were not injured but were left very shaken up.

The offenders left a duvet cover at the scene with a yellow laundry ticket - serial number 5643 - attached to it and are appealing to any businesses who supply these tickets to come forward and help trace the culprits.

Detectives in Rochdale have also released CCTV stills of the offenders who are wanted in connection with the incident.

Detective Constable Julian Peach, from Rochdale CID, said: "The offenders have left behind what could be a vital clue. I would urge any businesses who supply these sorts of laundry tickets to call us as the information they have could be the key to finding out who these men are.

"We are looking for an opportunistic gang of men who seemingly have no qualms about threatening women with weapons. These cowards need to be caught and I would appeal to anyone who has information - or recognises any of the men in the CCTV images - to come forward."

Anyone with information should call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4646 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.