Machete raid terror spree

HORROR attack: pregnant Joanna Milan- Kuziora and husband Rafal

A PAIR of violent gangs who unleashed a reign of terror after a spate of frightening robberies are still on the loose.

Police have stepped up patrols after 18 reported incidents since June 15. One of the victims was a 16-weeks-pregnant mum.

Joanna Milan-Kuziora (26) spoke of her terror after robbers held a machete to her stomach in broad daylight while she pushed her two-year-old daughter Jasmine in Alexandra Park.

The thugs made off with mobile phones but only £2 from the child’s stroller. Joanna described her attackers as young white men. She and her friend, another young mum, we terrified by the attack.

“We didn’t know what they were going to do. How could they attack two defenceless, innocent girls with their babies? They could see I was pregnant but held a machete to my stomach.”

Polish-born Joanna, who moved to Oldham eight months ago with husband Rafal, now wants to move out of the town.

The police’s Operation Manila has been set up to combat the crime wave. One group is said to be responsible for four robberies in the Alexandra area.

Meanwhile, four robberies have taken place in the St Mary’s district where a number of young Asian men have on occasion used violence to steal, police reported. Patrols have been increased to help residents feel safer.

Anyone with information should call police on 0161-856 8927 or anonymously on 0800-555 111.