Police appeal follows robberies

One of the Coalshaw Green gang wielded a Samurai sword

SHOPKEEPERS are being urged to be more vigilant after a spate of local robberies.

CCTV images have been released to find witnesses to the most vicious of five incidents at Oldham convenience stores in the past two months.

Officers are searching for three men who attacked and almost severed the finger of a shop worker with a Samurai sword during a robbery in Chadderton.

The masked men, also armed with a hunting knife, burst into the S and P store on Coalshaw Green Road on Saturday night, when store assistant Mubasher Khan (22) raised his hands in defence only to have his finger deeply cut by the sword.

Police say their investigation isn’t linking the incidents, but admits there are similarities.

Police are still urging the public to contact them with any information over the other four robberies, at: Jan’s Mini Market, Milnrow Road, Shaw, on Sunday, March 3, Bhana Stores, Ashton Road, Oldham, on Friday, April 5, Gujar News, on Monday, April 8, Hollins Road, Oldham and Q & Sons Cash and Carry, Crete Street, Oldham, on Tuesday, April 16.

They all involved masked men brandishing combinations of clubs, hammers and knives.

Anyone with any information is urged to call police on 0161-856 8825, 0161-856 4553 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.