Supermarket knife terror

Brawl: A machete is beleived to have been used in the attacks

Terrified supermarket staff were “frogmarched” into a room by thieves and forced to hand over large amounts of cash in a frightening bank holiday attack.

Wielding machetes and covering their faces with balaclavas, two thieves struck the Lidl store on Bridge Street, Heywood, at 6.15pm yesterday evening (Monday 4 May).

A terrified female employee was told she would be struck with a half-metre long blade if she did not co-operative with the thugs.

She and her manager were then frogmarched into the back office, and frightened for their lives, handed over a quantity of cash.

Another man kept watch at the door.

A red Volkswagen Passat Estate was used as a getaway car and was later found abandoned on Hornchurch Court in Heywood.

The thieves were wearing dark clothing and balaclavas.

Police in Rochdale are now appealing to anyone with information to come forward.

Detective Constable Jonathan Carter, of Rochdale CID, said: "To have such a dangerous weapon thrust in your face and threatened must have been a truly frightening experience for the victims, and that horrific memory will live with them forever.

"We are doing everything we can to find the culprits and give the victims some peace of mind, so I would appeal to anyone who does have information to come forward."

Anyone with information should call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4557 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.