CCTV images released following shopkeeper’s attack

A CCTV image of a man the police want to speak to in connection with the robbery

2 More Image(s) In Gallery

Police have released CCTV images of three men they want to speak to in connection with a robbery in Middleton.

The robbery at the Spend and Save store on Rochdale Road happened at 6.15am on 24 July 2010.

The shopkeeper and his assistant were attacked during the robbery.

The three men went into the shop and two removed alcohol from the display fridge. The group then tried to leave the shop with the alcohol, at which point the shopkeeper, 36, and his assistant, 51, tried to stop them.

A scuffle broke out and the two men were punched and struck over the head with a wire basket.

During the fight the thieves also damaged foodstuffs, electrical equipment and shop fittings before leaving with four stolen cans of beer.

The first man is described as white, about 20-years-old, 5ft 7in to 5ft 8in tall, of a slim build and with a bald or shaved head. He was wearing a light blue jacket, three-quarter length shorts and white trainers.

The second man was also white, a few years older, about 6ft tall and of a slim build with short or shaved brown hair. He was wearing a red jumper with writing across the front.

The third was white, between 16 and 18-years-old, 5ft 5in tall, of a slim build and wearing a dark coloured jumper.

Detective Constable Chris Whalley, from Rochdale CID, said: "This was a totally needless assault and all for just four cans of beer. Sadly, not only was the shopkeeper injured but he will also have to foot the bill for the repairs to his shop.

"It is completely unacceptable that licensees and shop owners should be targeted in this way when they are simply going about their businesses trying to earn a wage. It is therefore very important we find the culprits and show them that such behaviour must be punished.

"We are making inquiries in the area to try and identify those involved, and I would also ask people to look carefully at the images we have released. If you do recognise someone, then do come forward.

"Greater Manchester Police has significantly reduced the number of robberies across the county by targeting the sorts of career criminals who cause so much misery. However, behind the statistics are real people who are genuine victims of this sort of predatory crime, and the only real peace of mind for the shopkeeper is to see these men locked up so please, if you do know something, come forward."

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