Bank raid spurs dash for cash

UP for grabs...bundles of cash were thrown on to the street by the armed robbers. Picture: Chronicle reader Sean Weatherby

CHLDREN ran around catching thousands of pounds blowing in the wind after armed raiders dropped their loot.

Two masked robbers got away with around £67,000 from the Royal Bank of Scotland in Rochdale Road, Shaw, at 4.45pm yesterday but security dye used to protect the cash exploded as they made their getaway.

They dumped their holdall a few hundred yards away outside Crompton Library in Farrow Street, leaving hundreds of £20 and £50 notes blowing down the road.

PCSOs were called in to catch the money as opportunistic children were spotted pocketing the cash.

Eyewitness Sean Weatherby, who was in a near-by computer shop when the robbery happened, said: “I ran out on to the street and saw a gang of 10 children aged between eight and 12-years-old running around and grabbing the money that was blowing about everywhere. It was a bizarre thing to witness.’

“The holdall was open on the road and the notes were just blowing out on to the street with two PCSOs trying to contain it. I have never seen that amount of money before in my life.”

The raiders threatened staff and customers in the bank before speeding away in a Mercedes that was parked near-by

Another eyewitness, Marion Wood, saw the Mercedes speeding away from the scene and slowing down as two police officers signalled for it to stop.

She said: “I saw the bag being thrown out of the car window and then there was a flash of red. I went outside and saw lots of people milling around so I went to help the police pick up the money.

“There were some children with money in their hands and I told them to put it back but they said they were just trying to help pick it up.”

No one was injured during the incident but staff and customers were left extremely shaken.

Detective Stuart Lindsey of Oldham CID, said: “This must have been very scary for anyone caught up in it, but thankfully no-one was physically hurt.

“These robbers went in towards the end of the working day and the bank was busy with customers at the time.

“I am confident that someone would have seen these offenders, certainly in the minutes before and after the robbery and their call could prove vital to us.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Oldham CID on 0161 856 8952 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.