Shocking CCTV footage has emerged showing the moment a Bolton shopkeeper wrestled a metal bar-wielding thief to the ground as he made off with cash on Christmas Day.
The man, who is described as white, in his early 20s, is seen handing over money for a drink but as the till opens he leans over the counter and strikes with the metal bar before attempting to exit the store with £60 cash.
Determined not to let the thief get away the female shopkeeper is dragged along the floor outside the shop, holding on to his body in a bid to stop him fleeing the scene.
The incident occurred at around 2.15pm on December 25 when the offender entered Moses Gate Newsagents on Bolton Road, Farnworth and police are now appealing for information.
GMP Detective Constable Malcolm Cheetham said: “This abhorrent individual left his house on Christmas day in order to rob an innocent victim, the antithesis of what the festive season is all about.
“This was not an opportunistic crime, this was planned and the offender went equipped to threaten and possibly attack the shopkeeper if he stood in his way.
“Fortunately no one was hurt.”
The offender, who is slim build and short with brown mousy hair, was wearing a black hoody, with white coloured writing down one sleeve and a logo on the left breast and was also wearing black jogging bottoms with ‘Warrior’ written in white down the left leg.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
