Armed raiders in Asda terror

ON the scene . . . police arrive at Asda in Shaw

A SECURITY guard was assaulted by three masked men during a robbery outside Asda in Shaw.

The victim was punched in the face as he took cash from an ATM machine to a security van, parked by the store entrance at 9.10am on Friday.

The thugs — wearing balaclavas and carrying weapons including a sledgehammer — grabbed the cash box from the guard before fleeing in a stolen black Audi.

Police believe the car, later found abandoned in Fern Close, Middleton, could have been stolen during a burglary in Rochdale on Thursday. The guard was left shaken after the incident and was checked over by ambulance staff at the scene. It is not yet known how much cash was stolen.

Police reviewed CCTV footage and taped off the scene as forensics teams combed the area for clues.

DI Jamie Daniels said: “I want to reassure the community who will undoubtedly be talking about this robbery, that we have made three arrests.

“However, we still need the public’s help with any information they have as this is just the start of our investigation — we will be pursuing a number of leads to bring the offenders to justice and with the public’s help we can do that. This was clearly a pre-planned strike on cash delivery drivers and it is completely unacceptable that these men should have been placed in harm’s way.

“Thankfully no-one was injured but we need to ensure the culprits are caught so I would strongly urge anyone with information to come forward.”

Three men have been arrested and bailed until November 29.

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.