Middleton in General Crime News
Skeleton-mask robber attacks guard
A security guard had a machete held to his throat and was attacked with baseball bats at a cash and carry store. The guard, 43, was targeted by robbers when he was picking up cash from Booker Cash and Carry on the Stakehill Industrial Estate at about 5pm on Wednesday 16 June.
As he was collecting money through the cashier's hatch, a man dressed in a skeleton mask grabbed him and held the machete to his throat while demanding cash. Two other men clad in balaclavas then appeared and one attacked him with a baseball bat while the other grabbed bags of money. These two men then tried to smash their way into the cash and carry itself by attacking a glass door with a sledgehammer but they could not break it. When this failed, the three men got into a waiting silver Chrysler with the cash bags and drove off. This was found a few minutes later on fire elsewhere on the industrial estate.
Police are now appealing to anyone who has information about the robbery to come forward. Detective Constable Deborah Jameson, of Rochdale CID, said: "The men we are looking for are clearly dangerous, violent and calculating. Not only does the security guard deserve to see these men sent down for a very long time by a judge, but it is also very important that we find them before they try and strike again. I am appealing to the public to help us find these robbers and put them away for a long time.
"In particular, I want to hear from anyone who might have seen the men abandoning the silver Chrysler and jumping into another car. Perhaps you saw a car being driven erratically or at high speed at about the time of this robbery. I am also asking for anyone who might know whose these men are to call me. If you do have information or if you hear some idle gossip, do not disregard it as it could be a crucial piece of evidence of us. Please call us."
The number of robberies across Greater Manchester has dropped by 14.9 per cent between April 2009 and March 2010, meaning 1,052 fewer victims. Anyone with information is asked to call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4621 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
21.06.10
Wanted
A convicted robber from Middleton is wanted on recall to a young offenders' institute. Christopher Carroll (born 26/03/1990) of Yewdale Drive, has been recalled after breaking the conditions of his licence. He was sentenced to 16 months detention in a young offenders' institute for robbery in March 2008. Carroll was released on licence on 07/10/09 but has failed to comply with the conditions, in attending appointments and residence. He has connections to Middleton and Manchester as well as Wales.
PC Theresa Clarke from the Rochdale Spotlight Team, said: "Carroll is putting his own future on hold by failing to keep to the conditions set out in his licence as he will now have to go back into custody. The sooner he goes back and serves out his remaining time the better because we will catch him no matter how much he tries to avoid us. If you have seen him or know where he is, please contact Rochdale Spotlight Team".
Anyone with information is asked to call police in Rochdale on 0161 856 8420 / 0161 856 8470 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
10.05.10
Boy has jaw broken
Police are appealing for information surrounding a disturbance in Middleton. Between 1.30am and 2am on Saturday 1st May, officers received reports of a group of men fighting outside the Chicken Lodge Takeaway on Lodge Street. A 17-year-old boy was taken to hospital where he is still receiving treatment for a broken jaw. There are no descriptions of the other men and the circumstances of the incident are unclear.
Detective Constable Ben Harris said: "We are trying to piece together exactly what happened so that we can prevent something like this happening again in the future. If you were the area at the time, you may have seen something that could help, so please get in touch."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Greater Manchester Police on 0161 8564646 or the independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.
04.05.10
SEVENTY-SEVEN ARRESTED IN CRIME CRACKDOWN
Criminals were left with nowhere to hide in a police clampdown of offenders in Rochdale. As part of the initiative officers stepped up patrols between 19 to 25 April to target offenders for various offences including burglary, robbery, vehicle crime and violent crime. Seventy-seven people were arrested during the week and police carried out 11 warrants and visited 12 second hand dealers in an attempt to crackdown on stolen goods and known offenders at large.
Sergeant Steve Hanlon said: "As part of our commitment to the Policing Pledge we have been listening to our communities concerns to address the issues that matter most and this is by tackling the criminals that are causing the biggest strain on the area they are living in. The week saw some great results and we want it to send out a clear message to criminals - you are being watched and we will be doing all we can to make sure you don’t cause any more misery for our residents. I also want to encourage more residents to come forward with information about crime and anti-social behaviour in their area, confident that we will act on that information and bring offenders to justice."
To report a crime contact Greater Manchester Police on 0161 872 5050 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. You can also contact your Neighbourhood Policing Team direct about any issues related to crime or anti-social behaviour on 0161 856 8701 or email middletonpartnership@gmp.police.uk
Police in Rochdale are working hard to deliver the Policing Pledge, which is our commitment to you. The teams are ready to listen to your concerns and the issues affecting your lives to make the town a safer place to live.
Find out more at http://www.gmp.police.uk/policingpledge
29.04.10
Man stabbed during fracas
A man was stabbed in the shoulder after trying to stop his friend being attacked outside a Middleton pub. It happened outside the Oddfellows Arms on Oldham Road at about 11.30pm on 20 March.
The scuffle broke out after English Defence League supporters were behaving aggressively and abusing customers at the pub. They were asked to leave the pub by one of the victims, who escorted them outside. He was then jumped and his friend, 49, intervened. After the scuffle had ended and the two men returned inside, the victim realised he had suffered a stab wound to the back of his left shoulder. It is believed a cutthroat-type blade had been used.
Police are now appealing to anyone who witnessed the attack to come forward. The first offender was white, about 5ft 6in tall, in his late teens or early 20s and of a chunky build. He had short black hair and was wearing a blue EDL t-shirt with 'No Surrender Al-Qaeda' and an England badge emblazed on the front. The second man was taller, with dark hair and wearing dark-rimmed glasses and a light jacket. The third offender was also wearing a sweatshirt with an EDL logo. Two of the men had England flags around their waist.
Detective Constable Wayne Hagan, of Rochdale CID, said: "Sadly, alcohol-related violence like this gives pubs in our communities an unwanted, and unfair reputation, as the majority of pub-goers do behave responsibly. Some people are intent on causing trouble and we need to identify these men and lock them up where they cannot hurt anyone else.
"I would appeal to anyone who has information to come forward. The pub would have been quite busy at that time so there may be a lot of potential witnesses who could be key to our investigation. I would also stress that there is no racial element to this attack whatsoever and appears to be a totally unprovoked attack by these men who, fuelled by alcohol, were determined to cause trouble."
Anyone with information is asked to call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 8437 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
22.03.10
Man shot during robbery
A man was shot in the chest during an armed robbery at a Middleton bookmakers. The man, 57, was shot by a ball-bearing gun when two masked men went into the Ben Holmes bookmakers on Chapel Walk shortly before 11.45am on Saturday 20 March.
The thieves, who were dressed in dark clothing with their hoods up, approached the counter brandishing the weapon and demanded cash. A struggle ensued between the robbers and the man, during which he was shot in the chest.
The offenders then fled empty-handed. One of the men was said to have ginger hair and police are appealing to anyone who saw these men or who has any information about the attempted robbery to come forward. The man went to the North Manchester General Hospital to have the pellets removed. He was released shortly afterwards.
Detective Constable Mike Berger, of Rochdale CID, said: "This is the second time in a matter of months this bookmakers has been targeted, but this time a ball-bearing gun was fired and the victim suffered a nasty chest injury. To descend to this level of violence shows we are looking for some quite dangerous individuals who have no qualms about firing a gun, and we are doing everything we can to find them and lock them up.
"I want to assure members of the public that incidents like this are extremely rare in Middleton and gun crime in our communities is even more rare. This is an isolated incident and I do not want people to be unduly alarmed. What I would say though is that if anyone has information that will help us find these men, that they come forward and speak to us so we can identify those responsible and deal with them harshly - putting them behind bars.
"I would also strongly urge shopkeepers to be vigilant at this time and ensure all security measures are checked and are up-to-date."
Anyone with information is asked to call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 1976 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
22.03.10
Woman glassed in face
Police are hunting a man who hit a woman in the face with a glass. At about 1am on Sunday 28 February, the 21-year-old Middleton woman was in the New Inn on Long Street, when she went to help a woman who had been knocked to the floor in a minor disturbance.
As she was helping her, a man hit her in the left side of the face with a glass and punched and kicked her, before leaving the pub. She suffered a four-inch cut to the face and two broken ribs and was taken to hospital for treatment. The offender is described as white, about 6ft tall with a muscular build, dark hair, slight facial hair and about 30 years old. He was wearing a dark jacket and dark jeans.
Detective Constable Wayne Hagan, of Rochdale CID, said: "This woman was being a Good Samaritan, but got a glass in the face for her pains. There were plenty of people in the pub at the time of the incident and I am very confident that someone must know who did this. It appeared to be completely unprovoked and, in some ways, we are lucky the victim didn't suffer even worse injuries."
Anyone with information is asked to call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 8437 or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
09.03.10
| Privacy | Terms and Conditions | Copyright |