Jackets clue to failed raiders

TWO would-be thieves who carried out a raid at a Chadderton building society had been waiting at a bus stop prior to the attack.

The men, armed with an axe and a kitchen knife, attempted to rob the Britannia Building Society in Chadderton Shopping precinct at 8.50am last Thursday.

They barged their way into the building society and threatened staff to hand over cash. The building society was not open at the time and there were no customers present, and the offenders fled without stealing any money.

No-one was injured but the staff were badly shaken.

It is believed the offenders were sitting at the bus stop opposite Home Bargains on Middleton Road from about 7.30am onwards.

They left the bus stop at about 8.43am before they barged into the building society, just after a bus left the stop.

At the time, they were wearing high visibility sleeveless vests and white hard hats.

Police now want to hear from anyone who was at the bus stop between 7.30am and 8.45am and saw these two men to come forward.

Det Con Emily Goonan, from Oldham CID, said: “These two men were wearing distinctive clothing while they were watching the building society, waiting for it to open so they could pounce, and I would appeal to anyone who was passing the bus stop or in the area who may have seen these men to come forward.

“It was clearly a planned attack but thankfully they didn’t hurt anyone or get any money.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Oldham CID on 0161 856 8951 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.