Cash-in-transit guard attacked with hammer

A security guard was hit with a hammer as two men stole money during a robbery on a cash security van in Middleton.

The incident happened at 9.55am on Sunday 19 February 2012, at an off-licence on Stanycliffe Lane.

As the security guard was collecting takings from the shop, two men wielding hammers and with their faces covered followed him in.

The men forced their way into the back of the shop and threatened the 43-year-old security guard and other staff members to hand over money.

They then hit the guard on his helmet with the hammer, before running out of the front door with cash. The guard was not injured.

The first man is white and described as medium build, around 5ft 4in tall. He was wearing a dark hooded top and balaclava and was carrying a hammer.

The second man is white and described as stocky build, with dark eyes and some facial hair. He was around 5ft 7in to 5ft 8in tall, was wearing dark clothing, spoke with a local accent and was carrying a hammer.

Detective Constable Claire Rawcliffe from Rochdale CID said: "People think that stealing money from a cash-in-transit van is a victimless crime, but the security guard and staff at the shop have been left understandably shaken by what happened to them. Thankfully, the guard was not injured.

"If anyone was in the Stanycliffe Lane area at around 10am on Sunday and saw these offenders hanging around either before or after the robbery, then please get in touch.

"Your information could be vital to our investigation."

Anyone with information is asked to call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 8716 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.