CCTV footage of attempted robbery in Heywood

Police have issued CCTV footage of a robber who ran into a fridge door as he attempted to flee following a failed raid on a Heywood off-licence.

At around 8.25pm on Saturday 14 April,2007,  the offender walked into Jimmy's off-licence on Tower Street.

He opened a chilled cabinet, took out a can of lager and paid for it. He then went back to the cabinet, took out another can and left the door open when he motioned to pay for it.

As the shopkeeper opened the till, the offender then sprayed him in the face with CS gas.

The shopkeeper then punched the offender in self defence, knocking him backwards. The offender then turned round and ran straight into the fridge door, falling to the ground.

He then got to his feet and ran out of the shop.

The shopkeeper was uninjured but left shaken by the incident.

The offender is described as white, around 6ft 1in tall, with a slim build and wearing a white T-shirt and knee-length cream trousers.

Detective Constable Jonathan Carter, of Rochdale CID, said: "This is a very serious incident in which a shopkeeper has CS gas sprayed into his face.

"And while we would not condone people taking the law into their own hands, the offender was clearly unprepared for the shopkeeper's response.

"We want to hear from anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV."

Anyone with information is asked to call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4646 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

• View CCTV footage