Wanted man

DO you recognise this man, who was loitering outside Mamzy Newsagents?

CCTV picture released after brave shopkeeper foils raid
A SHOPKEEPER bravely fought off a raider armed with a knife and a claw hammer who tried to rob a newsagents in Oldham.

He was working alone when the thug, who had been loitering outside the front door for a few minutes, went in brandishing the weapons.

The thug demanded cash from the till — but the shopkeeper refused and grabbed the raider. A scuffle then broke out and the shopkeeper was left with a knife cut to his cheek, but he managed to activate a panic alarm causing the offender to flee empty-handed.

The incident happened at the Mamzy Newsagents in Werneth Hall Road, at about 6.20am on Thursday and now police have released a CCTV picture of a man they’d like to interview.

The thief wore dark clothing and had his jacket pulled up over his face and his hood pulled down over his forehead.

Det Cons Mike Hayman, of Oldham CID, said: “The shopkeeper’s bravery prevented this man getting his hands on any cash.

“However, the intent was clear and the fact he was carrying a weapon in each hand shows his determination to intimidate the shopkeeper into giving him what he wanted.

“Such an individual cannot be allowed to go unpunished for his crimes and we are doing everything we can to catch him.

“We have issued pictures of a man hanging around the store moments before the attempted robbery, and I want people to have a good look. If you remember this man hanging around, we need to speak to you.”

Anyone with information should call Oldham CID on 0161-856 8951 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.