ROBBERS who raided an Atherton bank could be the same men who were seen smashing a safe with a pick-axe in Westhoughton.

Police say two men wearing balaclavas who were spotted with the safe at the back of Brook Street yesterday afternoon could be the same men who later robbed NatWest in Market Street, Atherton.

It is believed the safe was stolen from a home in Cross Street, Atherton at about 2.25pm, but police do not yet know what it contained.

Police have now launched an appeal for anyone who saw the men to come forward.

Masked men pulled up outside the NatWest in a stolen silver Mazda at 3.20pm, as cash was being picked up by a security worker.

Two men wearing balaclavas, one of whom was wielding an axe, grabbed bags containing a large amount of cash before driving off at speed.

Detective Sergeant Paul Rollinson said: “Before the robbery, two men wearing balaclavas forced their way into a home in Cross Street, Atherton at around 2.25pm and stole a safe.

“They were then seen smashing it with a pick axe at the back of Brook Street, Westhoughton. We do not know if anything was taken.

“We do know the silver Mazda was stolen from a house in Lawson Avenue, Leigh, on Sunday, June 7, between 2am and 9am and would ask anyone who witnessed either of these events to call us.”

As the driver sped along Leigh Road with police in pursuit, he clipped another vehicle and the car overturned.

It is understood that the woman who was driving the other vehicle was injured when she was ‘barged’ out of the way by one of the fleeing robbers as she got out of her car.

The woman, in her late fifties, collapsed and was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital by paramedics, suffering from suspected spinal injuries.

After a police search three men aged 22, 24 and 34 were arrested on suspicion of robbery and remain in custody for questioning.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “The lady who was involved in the crash said she had got out of her car and had been 'barged into'.

"She was complaining of back pain.

“We gave her first aid at the scene before paramedics took over and she was taken to hospital.

“She was conscious and breathing.”

Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 7225 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.