Armed robbery (town centre)

Armed robbery: Robbers made off with thousands of pounds

Machete-wielding thugs robbed a cash delivery man at a town centre bank this morning (Thursday 11 June).

Shoppers watched in horror two men, in balaclavas, pulled up outside Natwest Bank, Fleece Street, at 10.45am, where they held their victim at blade-point, before making off with a box containing thousands of pounds.

Police cordoned the area off and were patrolling the town centre for some time afterwards, with many passers-by being questioned.

The get-away car, a red Vaxhaull Astra, has been recovered by police in Freehold.

A witness, who works at a nearby shop on Drake Street said: “I realised it was Natwest and I thought it was a bank robbery, we were quite on edge.

“I saw lots of flashing blue lights and lots of commotion, and it was all taped off, from the Job Centre, right up to the bank.”

The two offenders are described as male, in dark clothing.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: “The offenders made off with the cash in the red Astra which has been recovered, but investigations are ongoing as to the whereabouts of the offenders.”

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