Heywood robbery could be linked to Bury incident

Detectives are appealing for information after a violent robbery in Heywood and an attempted robbery in Bury which they believe may be linked.

At about 9.30pm last night, Tuesday 10 July 2007, a 57-year-old man was in a house on Walton Street in Heywood when four men wearing dark clothing and balaclavas forced their way into his home.

They assaulted him with an axe, causing injuries to his face and arms, for which he received hospital treatment.

The offenders then forced the man to hand over the keys to a silver Mazda 6 which they took from the driveway. Some of the men are believed to have left the scene in a red Mazda 323.

An hour and a half earlier three masked men approached a victim on his driveway on Second Avenue in Bury and demanded his car keys.

The 52-year-old man refused and was threatened by the offenders, one of whom kicked the victim's dog in the face, causing a cut to its eye.

The offenders then ran off empty handed and got into a red Mazda 323 and drove away at speed.

The victim suffered minor injuries to his neck as a result of the incident.

The offender with the axe is described as 17-18-years-old, 5ft 9in, of slim build. He was wearing blue jeans, a tracksuit top and had a northern accent. One of the other offenders is described as white, 5ft 2in and was wearing dark clothing. The third offender is described as white, 15-17-years-old, 5ft 6in of slim build and was wearing dark clothing.

The red Mazda was later seen in the Salford area and police are appealing for anyone who saw the car in the Bury, Heywood or Salford areas at the relevant times to contact them.

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the incidents.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police in Bury on 0161 856 8093 or in Heywood on 0161 856 4646. The public can also contact Crimestoppers, anonymously if they wish, on 0800 555 111.