Armed robbery at Middleton bank

Police in Middleton are appealing for witnesses after robbers stole a substantial quantity of cash from a bank.

At around 9.40am on Thursday 17 January, four men arrived outside the Halifax in Middleton Gardens in a black BMW.

Three of them, all of whom were wearing balaclavas, went into the bank.

The men were armed with a machete and a lump hammer and demanded cash from staff.

One of the robbers jumped over the counter and the others grabbed a cash box and they all fled.

As the getaway car drove away, it collided with parked van.

It was later found burnt out and the men jumped into another car, a stolen Volvo, and that was later found burnt out in Bury.

They are described as of medium build and all between 5ft 6in tall and 6ft tall.

Detective Sergeant Rebecca Matthews, of Rochdale CID said: "Although nobody was injured, this was a frightening ordeal for anyone who was in that bank.

"I would appeal to anyone with any information to contact us to help bring these dangerous people to justice and they should call us on 0161 856 8754 or Crimestoppers, in confidence on 0800 555 111."