Two Salford pensioners have been hailed as heroes for stopping a knife-wielding robber in his tracks.
Ron Smith, 77, and Robert Anderson, 71, from Swinton, were shopping at the P&H convenience store on Bolton Road, Pendlebury, when the 19-year-old burst in brandishing a kitchen knife.
Ron, who had popped in to buy his morning paper, saw what was happening and reacted straightaway by grabbing the shop door and holding it shut from the outside. He shouted for help and Robert came to his aid.
Councillor Peter Dobbs, ceremonial mayor of Salford, said: “It took a lot of courage to do what they did and I wanted to say thank you on behalf of the city of Salford.
“If not for them, and the people who gathered outside the shop, the robber would have escaped with hundreds of pounds worth of cigarettes and cash.”
Wearing dark clothes and a balaclava, the would-be robber held the knife to the lone female assistant and demanded money and cigarettes.
The frightened cashier filled a bag with £205 worth of cigarettes and £405 in cash and he attempted to leave the store.
Realising his escape route was blocked, the thief ran back to the cashier and begged her to help him get away – even telling her she could have back all the cigarettes and cash he’d tried to steal.
He then jumped out of an upstairs window into the arms of the waiting crowd, who held him there until police arrived.
Inspector Dianne Errington of GMP Salford Division said the two men have already received a bravery award for their role in the incident, which occurred on December 4 last year.
“Without their quick thinking it’s highly likely the offender would have escaped. Instead he is serving two years in jail and all the goods and cash he tried to steal were recovered,” she said.
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Jim Battle said: “These two gentlemen are local heroes who have stood up for what is right, sending a strong message to criminals that they are not welcome in Salford. They are representative of the strong community spirit that runs through the city and have been rightfully rewarded for their gallantry by the Chief Constable.”
