Filmed attack on raider sparks outrage

CAUGHT on camera — the robbery suspect is kicked after being caught while running away

A shocking video has emerged of a man being kicked in the head after an armed robbery in Glodwick on Monday.

The suspected armed robber is seen pouring with blood while being kicked after locals in Glodwick chased and caught him.

Three masked men, armed with a sledgehammer, a battering ram, and a gun had stormed Romaze Jewellers on the corner of Latimer Street. The three fled — one by car and two on foot — after youths disturbed them.

One of the men — a 25-year-old — was caught near Hardy Street before police arrived to arrest him on suspicion of armed robbery. But a video uploaded to social media shows the suspect being kicked on the head and face by members of the crowd. The video has been viewed more than 80,000 times on Facebook and people took to social media in their numbers to speak out against the attack on the man.

Two men aged 27 and 20 have since been arrested and all three now remain in custody.

Det-Chief Inspector Chris Downey said: “We would still like to appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident to call police as a matter of urgency - in particular someone who might have been hit by the car as it drove away. We are very keen to speak to that person about what they might have seen.

“There were a substantial number of people in the area at the time and many of them filmed parts of the incident and are now subsequently posting the footage on social media. I urge these people to come forward.

“While we applaud the public spirited and well-intentioned actions of these people, GMP will never condone violence or vigilante justice, regardless of what offence a suspect has supposedly committed.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555 111.

email: alexcarey@oldham-chronicle.co.uk