Updated at 9am May 1.
Police are still hunting the two men who were sprung from a prison van by an armed gang in Salford yesterday.
Shortly after 9am, a GEOAmy prison van carrying prisoners from HMP Altcourse to Manchester Crown Square was attacked on Regent Road, Salford near to its junction with Gloucester Road, by at least three men wearing dark clothing and balaclavas.
Ryan MacDonald, 20, and Stevie McMullen, 31, managed to escape from the van – it is believed they may have escaped on a motorbike that was found abandoned on Thurlow Street.
The men arrived at Regent Road in a dark coloured Saab and threatened the staff transporting the prisoners with a shotgun.
Three of the ambushers and the two escaped prisoners then got back into the Saab which was soon abandoned.
The public are advised not to approach either man and if they are seen to call police immediately.
Chief Superintendent Kevin Mulligan, said: “Two people are now unlawfully at large as a result of this morning’s incident and it is our priority to find them as well as identify those responsible for the break out.
“The public should not approach either man and if anyone knows where they are or saw these men escaping I would urge them to contact police immediately.
“There are a number of police scenes across the area and there will be a heavy and visible police presence in the coming hours and days but the public should be reassured rather than alarmed by this.”
As MM previously reported, MacDonald was due to be sentenced at Manchester Crown Court today after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery as well as driving offences.
McMullen was on trial having been charged with conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to rob, conspiracy to commit arson and conspiracy to possess a firearm.
Chief Supt Mulligan warned that his teams will find the two fugutives.
“We have specialist teams now dedicated to investigating the incident and finding all involved and I would like to send a message to those people that there is no hiding place and we will find you,” he said.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 5665 and 5237.
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.
