Men threatened Lidl staff with axe

Three men threatened staff with an axe during a robbery in Heywood.

At 8.05pm on Friday (3 February) the men walked into Lidl on Bridge Street and threatened a security guard before using the axe to smash through the window of a door that led into the back office.

A member of staff was threatened and the men demanded money from her.

They took a large amount of cash before getting into a silver Mini Cooper, driven by a fourth man.  They drove towards George Street.

No one was injured.

One man is described as being white, 5ft 3in tall, of stocky build, in his 20s and had blue eyes.  He wore dark clothing, black balaclava and carried an axe.

The second is described as being white, of slim build, around 5ft tall, in his 20s, had blue eyes and spoke with a local accent.  He wore dark clothing and black balaclava.

The third man was wearing dark clothing and a black balaclava.  He was white, 5ft 8in tall, of average build and in his 20s.

The driver of the car was slim and around 5ft 8in tall.

Detective Constable Gerard Fisher, from Rochdale CID, said: “The staff members were shocked and feared for their safety as it was clear the men would use the axe after they smashed through the office door.

“I would urge anyone who was in the Bridge Street or George Street area who may have witnessed the robbery or seen the car drive off to contact us as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 8552 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.