Browse Sections

• Education
• Special reports

Bank withdraws after second raid

Alex Scapens
12/ 3/2008

A BANK branch has been forced to close, making two workers redundant, after it was targeted by armed robbers for the second time in three months.

The gang of three masked men - carrying baseball bats - struck at the Halifax, on Finney Lane, Heald Green, on Friday at around 3.30pm.

Eye-witness reports say there was a woman with a young child in the branch as the robbers threatened staff and made off with cash.

The branch, which shared premises with Roger Dean Estate Agents, was also targeted at the end of last year and again three years ago, which has left bosses saying enough is enough.

Roger Dean said: "It is the third time in three years. We can’t stand for this sort of event happening, next time the robbers will leave empty handed.

"The Halifax agency is now closed, but we (the estate agency) are very much in business."

Detectives are investigating the robbery and have appealed for witnesses. It is believed the gang escaped in a car driven in the direction of Wythenshawe.

One eye-witness, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "One woman ran out with a young child with her looking panic stricken.

"She came back in afterwards and said, ‘I’m sorry, I had to get out’. I was stood looking at a car with a guy behind the wheel and the other three came out with baseball bats and shot off."

The Halifax branch closed on Monday (March 10).

A spokesman for the company added: "We will be co-operating fully with the police."

But he refused to comment on the decision to close, saying the matter was down to the third party who operated the branch locally.

Anyone with any further information on this incident is asked to contact Stockport CID on 856 9823.

Most recent 1 of 1 user comments