Armed robbery at service station

Robbers armed with an axe stole cash from a service station.

At 7.25pm on Tuesday (24 January)  two offenders entered Birch Services on the M62 (Westbound) and threatened a member of staff with an axe.

They stole cash from the till and escaped in a black Nissan Almera, driven by a third offender.

The cashier was not assaulted by the robbers but was left shaken.

One offender is described as white, between 5ft 9in and 6ft tall, of chubby build with a scarf covering his face. Another is described as white, 5ft 8in tall, of skinny build in his early 20s with dark eyes.

Detective Constable Russell Clarke, from Rochdale CID, said: "I am seeking to identify those responsible and ask anybody who was at the service station or has information about those responsible that evening to contact me.

"Even if you didn't see the robbery but observed anything suspicious or unusual in or around the area at the time I want to hear from you."

Anyone with information is asked to call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4621, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.