Astley Bridge shopkeepers detain armed robber after struggle

Police were called to an off-licence as the shopkeeper along with a friend, a fellow businessman managed detain the masked intruder.

Imtiyaz Ahmed was in his shop Bridge Wine and News on Blackburn Road when he said a man wielding a knife walked in  and ordered him at knifepoint to empty the till.

But Mr Ahmed refused and a struggle broke out as the shopkeeper tried to apprehend the intruder.

The two brave businessmen (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Ahmed says he was injured in the struggle as the two men fell to the floor, before the intruder got up and grabbed around £250 from the till.

The shopkeeper went after him and a struggle begain outside the shop.

It was around this time that Imran Musa, who works at the nearby Amobiles, was arriving at work and saw the commotion.

Mr Ahmed said his friend intervened and used cables from his store to tie up the assailant.

The money was retrieved during this period.

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Police arrived half-an-hour later and made an arrest.

Police at the scene (Image: NQ)

Mr Ahmed was taken to hospital but was discharged around three hours later.

Mr Ahmed, who has had the shop for 14 years, said: "He struck me and attacked me with the knife.

"I am worried if I open up this sort of thing will happen again.

"My request is this, the police need to take action or they will strike again."

Mr Musa added: "It is like this all the time around here."

Mr Ahmed (Image: Newsquest)

He also said he had installed a security system at his store four years ago where he has to press a button to allow customers in and out.

Police were at the scene throughout the morning with a cordon outside the row of shops in Astley Bridge.

A police spokesperson said: "Officers were called to a premises on Blackburn Road, Bolton, at around 11:20am today. A man has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody."