Thousands of pounds have been stolen by an armed gang during a cash-in-transit robbery in south Manchester.
The raid took place at about 10.40am yestyerday as the security van pulled up outside the Wendover Road Post Office in Brooklands.
One of the security staff went inside to deliver cash but was soon alerted by his colleagues that they were under threat.
advertisement
Three men then appeared carrying a hammer, a sledgehammer and an axe described as being a cross between an old battle axe and a mountain climbing axe.
The gang threatened the security officer and the postmaster and demanded cash. When the demand was refused, one of the offenders swung the sledgehammer at the glass counter partition in frustration, shattering the glass, although the partition held.
The postmaster then gave the offender armed with the axe two bags containing substantial amounts of cash.
The gang then fled. The getaway car is believed to be a red Honda Civic Type R fitted with what are thought to be false plates with the registration number YL07 ZCV.
No-one was injured during the incident but it did leave everyone involved badly shaken.
The security officer, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "I felt extremely threatened by these men, who appeared very young and desperate.
"I was shocked by their agitated state and am sure they would have used violence had they not got the money when they did. I am not physically injured but very shocked by the experience."
The Post Office is offering a substantial reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the offenders.
The first man was white, about 20 years old or younger, 5ft 2in tall and wearing a black balaclava or ski-type mask with a navy blue hooded top with red piping around the top.
The second man was white, about 5ft 5in tall, 20 to 25 years old and of slim build. He was wearing a balaclava and dark clothing.
The third man was white, about 5ft 10in tall and about 20 to 25 years old. He was also wearing a balaclava and dark clothing.
Detective Constable Paul Beever, based at Wythenshawe CID, said: "The victim's statement speaks for itself. This was a very frightening experience for the postmaster and the security staff who were threatened, and there were also a few customers inside at the time who were also traumatised.
"Although the weapons were not used, the mere threat of violence is enough to shake anyone and the people inside did exactly the right thing by not trying to tackle the offenders because then the threat of violence could have turned to reality.
"Inquiries are ongoing to trace these offenders and I would appeal to anyone who can help us with our investigation to come forward. Perhaps someone saw the men going in and out or perhaps they saw the getaway car in the area. If so, I would urge those people to get in touch."
Anyone with information about the robbery, or who may have seen the car being driven erratically in the area at the time, is asked to call Wythenshawe CID on 0161 856 4853 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
Print
Email this
