Browse Sections

• Education
• Special reports

Driver targeted by armed teens

Alex Scapens
18/ 6/2008

Ruthless teenage thugs - thought to be as young as 15 - pointed a gun at a woman’s face as they tried to steal her car in an attempted robbery.

Residents near the scene, at the junction of Chester Road and Jacksons Lane, Hazel Grove, have been left stunned that such a serious attack involving a firearm could have been carried out by youngsters of school age.

It happened when the 58-year-old victim stopped her Honda at traffic lights on Wednesday (June 11), at around 9.50pm, when the youths jumped out from behind a bush.  They flung open the doors demanding she get out of the car and - as one climbed in - a black pistol was pointed at her.

The incident was the second gun attack in Stockport in a week. On June 4 a cashier at Tesco Express in Heaton Moor was held at gunpoint and a man escaped with cash from the till.

Rick Wilson, of nearby Dean Lane, said: "This is frightening and it is the thin end of the wedge as standards are being eroded. The worst thing is it involved such young people.  What happens next time if they use the gun? It is a bit too close for comfort. I often run my grandchildren round in the car, so I’ll certainly be making sure the windows are kept up and the doors locked."

And L Lee, of Chester Road, added: "It has really frightened me; someone carrying a gun just to get a car. I can’t imagine how a 15 or 16-year-old would have a gun.  At that age I just chatted to my friends on the phone. I am shocked, most of all that a teenager would carry a gun to commit a crime."

The woman escaped uninjured when the car began to roll forward and the two youngsters panicked and fled.

Police believe a number of onlookers may have witnessed the incident and are appealing for them to come forward. The teenagers are described as white males aged 15 to 16. One wore a black hooded top, the other had a camouflage jacket.

Det Insp Kevin Dolan from Stockport CID, said: "This was a terrifying incident for a defenceless woman who was alone in her car and was confronted by two dangerous individuals carrying a firearm. I would urge anyone who did witness this incident to contact the police. Just for a moment put yourselves in the shoes of this woman, who has had a gun pointed at her, head and consider how it would make you feel."

Anyone with information can contact Stockport CID on 856 9755 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police are also investigating claims that three men tried to pull a motorist from his high powered BMW in an attempted car-jacking on June 10. The robbers pounced as their victim was driving on Ridgeway, in Bredbury, at around 1.40am. Two of them smashed the driver’s window while the other opened the front passenger door. But the motorist, who was left with a cut finger, managed to drive off before he could be pulled out of the car.

Det Insp Dolan said: "Anyone faced with these type of circumstances is going to be frightened. People driving, especially late at night, should be vigilant, keep the doors locked and leave nothing valuable on view."

Anyone with information on these crimes can contact 872 5050 and ask for Stockport CID or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 .