Police are hunting for two men who carried out a “calculated and pre-meditated attack” on two workers from the Railway pub in Hale yesterday, stealing cash and leaving one of the men hospitalised.
The two workers from the popular Ashley Road pub were walking to a bank when they were confronted by two men in balaclavas shortly before 10.30am yesterday outside the Pizza Express restaurant.
One of the workers was struck on the back of the head, causing him to fall to the ground, and a holdall containing a “substantial” amount of cash was taken. He was taken to hospital and treated for a cut on the back of his head.
The second victim was also threatened.
Below: The attack happened outside Pizza Express in Hale
Both men then got into a nearby blue Volkswagen Sharan and were said by police to have been seen to have headed in the direction of Harrington Road in Altrincham. The car was subsequently found burnt out in Dunham, with the suspects understood to have fled in another car.
Alan Hough, the pub’s landlord, said: “This was a calculated and pre-meditated attack on two innocent workers going about their daily jobs. Both have been left very shaken up and one has been hospitalised with a nasty gash to the back of the head.
“We are liaising with the police and reviewing our security procedures to prevent any further incidents like this, and would also like to appeal for anyone who saw anything to come forward. There must have been a lot of people in Hale village at the time.”
Below: The Railway in Hale
Hough praised the “fantastic” support the pub had received since the incident and said everyone had “rallied round”.
He added: “It’s business as usual in the Railway and will no way affect what will be a nice weekend, particularly as it’s the weekend of the Grand National, Manchester derby and Masters golf.”
The two suspects were described as black, of medium build and wearing dark clothing. One is said to be 5’10 while the other is six foot tall.
Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 7530 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
