Robbers foiled by quick-thinking security guard

A gang of would-be robbers were foiled when a security guard spotted them running towards a Middleton bank and shut the door on them.

At about 4pm on Tuesday (4 August), the security guard was making a delivery to the Barclays Bank on Long Street.

As the guard went inside, he noticed a man armed with a sledgehammer get out of a blue Ford Focus car and run towards the bank.

The guard quickly shut the door and the would-be robber ran back towards the car, which had been stolen in a burglary from New Moston on Monday.

The offenders sped off in the car, which was seen on Hereford Way, before being abandoned shortly after on Dam Head Drive, Blackley.

Four men got out of the car, one was armed with a sledgehammer, another with a claw hammer and a third with a bat.

All four ran off towards Bailey's Wood.

The driver was wearing blue jeans and a grey hooded top and the other three were all dressed in black tracksuits.

Detective Constable Wayne Hagan, based at Rochdale CID, said: "Fortunately, the security guard was aware of his surroundings and spotted these men before they could do anything.

"Even though they were stopped, it was no less frightening that the men were prepared to head into a bank full of people brandishing weapons and they must be caught."

Anyone with information is asked to call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4644 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.