Shotgun brandished in Middleton robbery

Police in Rochdale are appealing for witnesses following the gang robbery of security staff at gun point in Middleton last Friday morning (29 May).

One of the robbers brandished a sawn off shotgun while staff from Group 4 Security (G4S) were making a delivery to a cash point at the Hatton Service Station on Greengate at around 8.35am.

The gunman forced the security staff into a secure room in the garage and stole a large amount of money contained in cash cassettes.

The thieves fled in a blue Vauxhall Astra, registration PK57 HKM, which is believed to have been waiting near by and driven by a third member of the gang. The car went up Mainway towards Alkrington and was later found abandoned on the Heath.

Nobody was injured in the robbery and no shots were fired.

Detective Constable Nick Price, of Rochdale CID, said: "I would like to appeal to potential witnesses on three fronts. Did you witness the robbery itself or the men going into the garage? Or did you see a Vauxhall Astra being driven at speed down Mainway? Or perhaps you saw this car being dumped on the Heath? If so, we need to hear from you.”

He added: "Greater Manchester Police will not tolerate opportunistic thieves who target security staff during cash-in-transit deliveries and we will do everything we can to find these men and put them behind bars."

Anyone with information should call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 1977 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.