Robbers hold up Middleton Service Station

Robbers escaped with cash when they threatened a 54-year-old worker who was mopping up just prior to closing at Middleton Service Station, on Oldham Road.

The robbers sneaked into the building via an open back door, grabbed the mop and threatened him with it, demanding he open the till and the safe, which he did, and they escaped with a quantity of cash.

The victim was uninjured in the incident but left upset by what had occurred.

It’s believed the two criminals had walked from nearby Hanson Street and entered the store via the back door, which is on Oldham Road.

After committing the robbery, at around 8.40pm on Wednesday 15 May 2013, they ran out of the store, along Oldham Road, past the Oddfellows Arms pub and back down Hanson Street before disappearing out of sight.

Both are described as white, in their early 20s and about 5ft 5in to 5ft 6in tall.

Detective Constable Mark Green, of Rochdale South INPT, said: “Once again a man simply doing his job has been confronted with two desperate criminals. He must have had no idea whether they planned to carry out their violent threat or whether it was simply bluster.

“Either way, he had little option but to cooperate and the pair fled with a quantity of cash. Thankfully he wasn’t physically hurt, but you can be sure he has felt the psychological effects. In fact, he has been unable to go back to work since it happened.

“That said, I want to reassure the people of Middleton that this is a rare occurrence here, which is why we are doubly determined to catch these two.

“Did you see this duo as they walked down Hanson Street or perhaps did you notice two people running along Oldham Road but thought little of it at the time?

“Please, if you have any information, then don’t hesitate to get in touch.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police in Middleton on 0161 856 8701 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.