21/04/2009

Police Appeal After Oldham Axe Robbery

A thief brandishing an axe has stolen thousands of pounds from a bank in Oldham.

Wielding a yellow axe, the masked man threatened a security guard in the entrance to the Natwest bank on Hollinwood Avenue at about 10.25am on Thursday 16 April.

Although the weapon was not used, the frightened security guard dropped a cash cassette containing a large amount of money that the thief picked up. He ran to a green Renault Laguna that was parked nearby and drove off.

The car was later found abandoned.

The thief is described as white, about 6ft tall and was wearing a grey hooded top and a black balaclava.

Police in Oldham are now appealing to anyone who has any information about the robbery to come forward.

Detective Sergeant Jamie Daniels, from Oldham CID, said: "The victim has been through a traumatic ordeal and did exactly the right thing by not trying to wrestle with the thief, otherwise he could have been seriously injured by the axe.

"Greater Manchester Police launched Operation Vanguard last year to help protect cash-in-transit guards who are targeted in this way and through this operation we have brought career criminals to book.

"I would like to assure the community that if they provide us with information that will help us identify this offender, we will bring the full force of the law to convict them.

"If anyone does have information, please come forward."

Anyone with information should call Oldham CID on 0161 856 8951 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.

(PR/KMcA)

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