Plea in hunt for armed robbers

CCTV of the armed robbery in progress

POLICE have released CCTV footage of an armed robbery as they seek to identify the culprits.

At about 7pm on Saturday, December 17, police were called to reports of an armed robbery at a shop in Butler Green, Chadderton.

Two men on mountain bikes, approached the shop from the Coalshaw Green Road area, and loitered outside before entering the shop.

Once inside they brandished what police described as a dark, machete-type weapon and one also wielded a crowbar. The pair walked over to the till area and demanded the tills be opened.

But the cashier refused so one of the men attempted to prize the till open with the crowbar while the other man snatched a cash bag from another cashier.

They then both attempted to flee however, were both hindered as one of the cashiers' had activated the store's emergency magnetic locking system.

The men eventually forced the doors open and fled the scene on the mountain bikes towards Thompson Lane.

One of the men, who carried the machete-type weapon, is described as white, between 20 and 25 years old, of slim build and was wearing a black hoody with the hood up with his face covered.

The other man is described as white, of slim build and also wore dark clothing with his hood up.

Det Con Michael Ogiliey, of GMP's Oldham borough, said: "These individuals have put the victim's through a traumatic ordeal for their own quick, selfish gain with complete disregard for the wellbeing of other people.

"I'm urging anyone who recognises the men in the CCTV or anyone who has any information about the robbery to get in touch."

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 9080 or 101, quoting log 2051 of 17/12/16.

Watch the CCTV footage here