Would-be robbers threaten to shoot club secretary

Two would-be robbers threatened to shoot the secretary of Middleton Conservative Club earlier this month.

Just after 9.30pm on Thursday 3 September, two men got into the Long Street club and went into the secretary's office.

They demanded that the secretary hand over cash and he said he did not have access to any. The offenders repeated their demands and said if the 60-year-old did not hand over some cash they would shoot him.

One of the men pushed past the victim and started searching his desk.

The victim tried to run out of his office to trap the man inside but ended up in a struggle with the other offender. The first man then joined in the struggle and hit the victim over the head.

Both offenders fled the scene, having managed to steal nothing.

The club secretary was not seriously injured as a result of the blow to his head.

One of the offenders was wearing a grey hooded top and the other was wearing a black hooded top.

Detective Constable Ryan Grumbridge, based at Rochdale CID, said: "This was a frightening experience for the club secretary, especially as he genuinely did not have access to any money yet they were so determined to steal something they refused to believe him.

"Fortunately he was not seriously injured in the tussle.

"If you saw anything that night that might be relevant to us catching those responsible, please contact me."

Anyone with information is asked to call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4644 or the independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.