Masked robbers target petrol station

Photo: Jan Harwood

Police officers investigating the scene at the petrol station on Newhey Road.

A cashier has spoken of his terror as four masked robbers armed with hammers targeted a petrol station this morning (Wednesday 12 March).

Usman Patel, who works at the BP petrol station on Newhey Road, Milnrow, told Rochdale Online who four men in balaclavas stormed the premises at 10am, and demanded cash from a delivery man who was opening the cash machine.

Police rushed to the scene but the robbers had fled in what is believed to be a silver people carrier.

The garage closed down while investigations took place, and the area was cordoned off. The premises was re-opened at 12.45pm and is now back in business.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “We were called out at 10:10 to an armed robbery. Three or four men, wearing masks, approached a security man at the cash machine.

“Investigations are ongoing.”

Usman, who works behind the till said: “There were about four of them, they went straight to the cash machine with hammers and has masks on. The police were called from behind the till.

“Police are looking into it but we are open for business now”.