Machete wielding robbers attacking guard

Still from CCTV footage of machete wielding robbers attacking guard

Machete wielding robbers seriously injured a security guard in a cash in transit robbery in Middleton two weeks ago today.

Detectives have issued dramatic CCTV footage of the attack in an attempt to encourage witnesses to come forward.

Just before 8.45am on Friday 8 February 2008 police were called to the Co-op Late Shop on Kirkway following reports that three masked robbers armed with knives had attacked the 53-year-old guard.

The three men had approached the guard as he was delivering cash boxes at the store's rear entrance off the service road round the back.

One of them was holding a large machete, the other two carving knives.

They threatened him, but the guard stood up to them, and a chase ensued.

One of the robbers hit the guard on his forearms causing deep cuts. When it became clear they would not get any money from him they returned to the van and tried to threaten the other guard to open the door, but he refused to do so.

All three robbers then ran away empty-handed.

After the robbery the guard was taken to hospital where he was treated for deep lacerations to his arms. He has since undergone surgery for a severed tendon on one arm, and is waiting to see how much this will affect the use of his hand.

Nobody else was injured in the incident.

It is believed that the robbers left the scene in a dark coloured Audi car, and detectives are keen to trace this vehicle.

The CCTV also shows a man driving down the service road in a white National Rental van just before the robbery. Officers would urge this man to come forward as he might have information that is vital to the inquiry.

The offenders are all described as white, between 5ft 10in and 6ft tall, of slim builds and were wearing dark clothing and masks.

Detective Constable Nigel Humphreys from Rochdale CID said: "As you can see, the guard was very brave to stand up to these men, who were armed with dangerous weapons, but he has suffered badly for it. We'd appeal to anyone who thinks they might have seen this car leaving the scene, or who has any information at all about this robbery, to come forward and help us catch these men."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4644, 856 8443 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

View CCTV footage:

• /News/media/Middleton_Robbery_Feb2008.wmv