Woman punched during armed robbery

Co-op robbery suspect caught on CCTV.

A woman was repeatedly punched in the face during an armed robbery in Middleton.

Staff were forced into an office and the 36-year-old woman was attacked by one of the robbers during the incident at the Co-op store on Kenyon Lane on Saturday night (15 August).

The gang of three or four men ran away with a large amount of cash at around 11pm.

The robbers ran on to Elmbank Road where they fled in a stolen black Nissan Micra, which was found abandoned nearby.

One of the men was wearing a grey Adidas hooded jumper and another was wearing a black Helly Hansen waterproof jacket. All the men were wearing balaclavas and one was armed with a sledgehammer.

Detective Constable Gerard Fisher, from Rochdale CID, said: "Cowardly and pathetic does not even begin to describe someone prepared to assault a terrified and totally defenseless woman.

"These men are clearly dangerous so if you have any information that can help be bring them to justice please get in touch."

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