Police are appealing for information after a bank worker was attacked with a crowbar during an attempted armed robbery at Barclays on Park Road in Timperley yesterday afternoon.
Shortly before 4:30pm, four men dressed in dark clothing and with their faces covered entered the bank armed with a knife and a crowbar.
The men threatened a member of staff and demanded he open the safety door and allow them access to the rear of the bank. When the bank worker told the offenders that he could not open the door, the man armed with a crowbar struck him on the leg, causing severe bruising.
The offenders then left the bank and got into a silver BMW which was parked on Hawthorn Avenue and drove off, turning right onto Park Road.
Here’s how we reported the incident minutes after it happened:
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One of the men is described as a 6ft 2in white man, approximately 23-years-old of stocky build and he spoke with a local accent. He was dressed in black clothing and wore black gloves and a black balaclava.
A second man is described as a 5ft 8in – 10in white man, approximately 18 to 20-years-old of slim build and he also spoke with a local accent. He was dressed in dark clothing, with black gloves and a black balaclava and was armed with a green handled kitchen knife.
A short time later, a car was heard screeching to a halt on nearby Beech Road and four men – one carrying a large crowbar – were seen running away from the area. Officers attended and found an abandoned silver BMW which had previously been reported stolen.
Police investigating the incident are now appealing for anybody with information to come forward.
Detective Inspector John Stainton said: “First and foremost I would like to express great relief that the member of staff who was attacked was not more seriously injured and that no one else was assaulted during what was a very frightening incident for those that witnessed what these thugs did.”
“I would like to pay tribute to this brave member of the bank’s staff as his help with this investigation has been outstanding.
“These four men had clearly been planning this robbery for some time as they knew what time the bank would be preparing to close and they had procured a getaway vehicle which they were more than happy to abandon. Thankfully, their robbery attempts proved fruitless.
“I would like to assure the public that we are doing everything we can to find the offenders but if anybody has any information which can help us with the investigation then please come forward.”
Below: Exclusive pictures from the scene minutes after the attempted robbery had taken place
