Police are appealing for information and witnesses after a three men burst into a Little Hulton pub and tried to carry out an armed robbery.
One of the would-be thieves was carrying a shotgun.
A second man was waving a 18-inch machete with a black blade and threatening pubgoers.
Locals told SalfordOnline.com how multiple unmarked and Tactical Aid Unit police vehicles descended on the Dukesgate on Cleggs Lane at around midnight on Tuesday 12 January.
Just 15 minutes earlier, at around 11.45pm, three men walked into the pub and demanded cash and jewellery from the people inside.
When one customer refused to hand over his wallet, the man carrying the shotgun told his accomplice to use the machete to cut him with the blade.
But the customer thought he recognised the robber’s voice.
As the armed thieves started to panic, staff managed to raise the alarm, bringing large numbers of police to the scene.
All three turned tail and ran out of the Dukesgate, up Cleggs Lane in the direction of Farnworth.
Flight crews manning India99, the police helicopter stationed at City Airport in Barton, joined unmarked police vehicles and tactical aid units in the search for the men.
The first offender, who was carrying the shotgun is described as a white man in his mid-20s, approximately 5ft 7in tall and of skinny build.
He was wearing two to three black hooded tops with the hood up, green ‘Northface’ jogging bottoms and a black scarf covering his face.
The man with the machete is described as a white man in his mid-20s, approximately 5ft 7in tall of skinny build and spoke with a Salford accent.
He was wearing a black hooded top with the hood up and charcoal grey jogging bottoms, possibly Nike branded.
The third man is described as being white, approximately 5ft 5in tall, of skinny build, with a beard.
Detective Constable Horace Bell of GMP’s Salford Division said: “The people who were in the pub at the time should have been enjoying a drink but instead they have been subjected to a frightening ordeal.
“Had it not been for the intervention of the one of the intended victims then this incident may have been much worse.”
Now police are urging anyone with any information to get in touch.
If you know anything about this incident please call Greater Manchester Police on 101 quoting incident number 2337 of 12/01/16 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Main image: Dukesgate pub, Little Hulton – Google Street View
