Terror as hammer lout robs woman

A WOMAN was threatened with a hammer by a teenager who stole her handbag in Moorside.

The mugger jumped out of bushes brandishing a hammer in Crowley Lane when the 23-year-old victim was reading a text message on her mobile phone.

He shouted at her to put her phone and her bags on the floor and demanded to know what jewellery she had.

The offender then pushed the hammer towards her face and demanded that she turn around.

The victim refused and the offender then picked up her handbag and ran off towards Counthill Road.

The incident happened at 8.20pm on Monday. The offender is described as white, 5ft 5ins and of skinny build.

He was aged around 16 to 17 years old, wearing a dark coloured baseball cap, black jacket and a light coloured hooded top with a white pattern on the front.

The victim also mentioned that the thug had a strange walk.

Officers would also like to speak to a man who ordered a taxi at 8.35pm from Counthill Road to the Vulcan Street area of Derker, near to Stoneleigh Park.

Det Cons Leigh Carnally of Oldham said: “This woman was very frightened by what happened and she had some sentimental items of jewellery stolen.

“If anyone who saw anything suspicious around the time of the incident or saw the man waiting in the bushes, please call us.

“I would ask people to avoid taking shortcuts in the dark and walking alone at night.

“If you have to walk, stick to well-lit busy areas and if you have any concerns for your well-being, get to the nearest place of safety.”

Anyone with information should call police on 0161-856 9080 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.