Armed robber stole van at knifepoint

A man threatened a van driver with a knife before speeding off in his vehicle.

The 38-year-old victim had parked his white Ford Transit van on Park Road, Rochdale in order to deliver a parcel.

As he walked back to his vehicle, a man armed with a knife approached and threatened to hurt him if he did not hand over his keys.

The victim handed them over and the offender drove off in the van, which bears the registration plate BL64 JYZ.

The incident occured at 12.10pm on Thursday 26 March.

The offender is described as an Asian man, around 5ft10in tall and was wearing a black North Face jacket, dark jeans and black trainers. He was carrying a silver knife with a 6-7in blade.

A red Ford Focus, which had been parked up the road, drove off at the same time as the offender escaped in the victim’s van.

Constable Sean Goddard said: “The van driver was thankfully not hurt, but was left understandably shaken by this incident.

“At this stage we do not believe the person in the red Ford Focus is an accomplice, more likely an important witness, so we would very much like for the driver of that car to contact us.

“Likewise, if you see a white Ford Transit van with this registration plate, please contact police as a matter of urgency.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 55 111.