Three men attempted an armed robbery in broad daylight at a jewellers on Swinton precinct.
At 11.50am today, Tuesday 19 January, three masked men approached the THJ Manufacturing Jewellers and smashed the front window with a hammer.
One eyewitness was sat opposite the shop when she heard screaming and was shocked to see a masked man run past her.
At least one of the men was armed with a large knife, believed to be a 12-inch machete.
Two of the robbers are described as mixed race and third is understood to be white.
As of 3.35pm on Tuesday 19 January local officers and dogs were still searching the area.
Debris and smashed glass was scattered across the precinct footpath.
One of the robbers was chased down on foot and arrested outside B&Q Swinton.
Police said in a statement: “A 27-year-old man from Swinton was detained on Wesley Street and arrested on suspicion of robbery.
“He remains in police custody for questioning.”
The other two men, who ran off down the side of Oxfam towards the ASDA Swinton supermarket, are described as being in their late teens or early 20s and were wearing black hoodies and jogging bottoms.
Officers discovered a black holdall bag dumped at the rear of B&Q, which contained a jewellery stand and a high-value ring.
Reports locally suggest a handful of high-value watches were also taken.
No-one was reported injured in the attack.
Two women working at the store were described as “shaken but okay”.
Police cordoned off a large section of the shopping area while they questioned witnesses.
Detective Sergeant Ben Cottam said: “We have one man in custody and we are continuing to search for the remaining two suspects. We would ask if anyone witnessed the incident or think they may have seen the suspects running from the Parade that they contact police.”
Anyone with information is urged to call police on 0161 856 5470, 101, or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
