Axe Hurled At Police In Prestwich

Four men attempted to rob a shop in Prestwich before throwing an axe at a police car.

Just before 6pm on Wednesday 30 November 2011, the men walked up to the door of the Carphone Warehouse store on Bury New Road and forced it open.

Realising the men were breaking in, staff ran into the store room, locked the door and called police.

The men took property belonging to staff from behind the till and tried to smash the stock room window an axe.

When they could not get in, they ran out of the shop.

At the same time, a police car pulled up as the men were escaping.

One of them threw the axe at the driver’s window, causing it to smash and narrowly missing the police officer.

The men escaped in a green VW Golf towards the direction of Manchester.

Three men are described as wearing dark clothing and covered their faces.  One man wore a grey Adidas hooded top and gloves.

Detective Constable David Thorpe from Bury CID said: “Staff were left terrified and knew these men meant business.  Fortunately no one was hurt.

“When the offenders left the store, they showed a complete disregard for the officer’s safety and threw an axe directly at the police car.  It’s a miracle the officer received only minor injuries.

“I would urge anyone who saw these men either run out of the shop or saw them get into the green Golf to contact us as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 8248 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.