RESIDENTS tackled a masked robber and made a citizen's arrest after he snatched a large amount of cash from a businessman in Kearsley.

The man was going into the Post Office in Manchester Road to deposit money at about 2pm on Wednesday when a man wearing a balaclava grabbed the money and ran.

He was brought down by nearby residents, however, who tackled the robber and made a citizen's arrest.

A second man who was also wearing a balaclava fled the scene in a silver Citroen Picasso, which was being driven by a woman with long, dark hair. No money was taken and nobody was injured.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “It was an opportunistic crime. It looks like a man was about to deposit money into the post office on Manchester Road, Kearsley, but didn’t make it because another man snatched it out of his hands before he got there.”

Det Insp Denise Pye, from Bolton CID, commended the bravery of members of the public and appealed to witnesses to come forward with any information about the car.

An 18-year-old man from Salford has been arrested on suspicion of robbery.

He is now in custody and is being questioned by police. Anyone with information can call police on 101 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

  • Were you one of the people who helped, or do you know someone who did? Contact our newsdesk on 01204 537270.