Armed robbery at Tesco, Middleton

Detectives in Rochdale are appealing for witnesses following a cash in transit robbery at a Tesco Store in Middleton on Saturday 20 January.

Shortly after 7.15am a security guard was re-filling a cash machine inside of Tesco on Kirkway in Middleton when he was approached by four masked men armed with a machete and a wheel brace. The men threatened him and demanded he hand over cash.

Fearing for his safety, the security guard handed the men a cash box before they ran off in the direction of the precinct. It is then believed that they got into a Toyota Avensis that was parked nearby.

The Avensis was later found abandoned on The Downs in Middleton. It had been stolen from an address in Swinton in November 2006.

None of the staff were injured during the incident but they were left shaken.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this incident, or who may have any further information, to contact the Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4646 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.