A Cheetham Hill knifepoint robbery saw a mother and her daughter attacked and jewellery worth more than £500 taken – in front of the family’s infant children.
The woman’s mother had recently flown in from Pakistan to see her family – but both she and her daughter were threatened with weapons and then robbed during the terrifying incident on Arlington Street at about 3pm on Wednesday.
Three robbers surrounded the women and made off with two rings and a gold bangle, which one thief tried to cut off the older woman’s wrist.
Detective Constable Jonny Dyer said: “The facts of this cowardly and heinous robbery speak for themselves. I doubt it, but I hope the culprits are utterly ashamed of themselves for what they have subjected this innocent family to.
“The woman’s mother had only recently flown in from Pakistan to visit her loved ones, and sadly this will be the enduring memory she is left with. The fact these thugs stooped so low as to commit this robbery in front of young children just shows they have no place in our society.”
The woman, 28, and her mother, 57, were out with the children when they were approached by two white men. Another man then approached them from behind, surrounding them.
One of the thieves then produced a knife and demanded their jewellery, before another pulled out a set of cutters and also threatened the family.
Frightened they would be attacked, the women gave the thieves two gold rings, each worth up to £250.
But not content with that, one of the thieves then tried to use the cutters to forcibly prise a gold bangle from the elder woman’s wrist, leaving her daughter to plead for her to take the bangle off voluntarily so her mother would not be injured.
After all the jewellery was handed over, two of the thieves fled on bicycles while the other ran off.
They were described as white, wearing black hooded tops and in her early 20s.
Police are now appealing to anyone who has information to come forward.
“We desperately need to find these men and show this family, who thankfully did not suffer any major physical trauma, that the offenders will be brought to justice and made to pay for their crimes,” said Detective Constable Dyer.
“I would therefore appeal to anyone who witnessed this robbery and may have vital information to call us.
“Alternatively, if you are offered any jewellery from someone you suspect is using the black market or is a criminal, then you could be being offered this very jewellery so please, if you are, call us and help us reunite the family with what is rightfully theirs and catch these thugs.”
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 3267 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Image courtesy of Google Maps with thanks
