Police plea over bank robbery

POLICE have released more details about an Oldham bank robbery last Thursday.

Armed raiders fled with tens of thousands of pounds from the NatWest bank in Middleton Road at around 5pm.

Two workman were startled when two men in high-vis jackets and balaclavas removed metal security bars and burst with an axe and crowbar.

The terrified workmen were forced into the bank’s cellar and threatened not to raise the alarm.

The robbers then escaped in a black BMW parked on nearby Harold Street - later found abandoned in Stott Lane, Middleton.

Officers are urging residents to contact them if they saw anything suspicious in the days leading up to the raid, particularly in relation to a blue people carrier driving away from the area after the getaway car was dumped.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555 111.