At around 10.15pm on Thursday 30 October 2014, the Mayor of Bury’s driver was placing a briefcase containing the Mayor and Mayoress’ ceremonial gold chains into the boot of a car while parked up in the Stand Lane area of Radcliffe.
As he did so, a man in a balaclava approached him from behind and hit him on the shoulder with a hammer, fracturing his shoulder blade, before grabbing the briefcase from the boot.
The offender then jumped into the passenger seat of a green-coloured VW Polo which was waiting nearby and drove off.
There was no description of the attacker, who was wearing a balaclava, though the driver of the car was a white man, aged between 30-40-years-old.
Detective Constable Martin Brown said: “It has been four months since these chains, which are of enormous historical and monetary value, were stolen during a violent robbery during which the driver was attacked with a hammer.
“We are continuing to pursue a number of lines of inquiry, but as yet we have neither recovered the chains nor made any arrests so I am reappealing to the public of Bury to help us find those responsible.
“Although the scrap metal is dwarfed by the historical significance and heritage of these chains, the culprits will only profit from this theft by selling the chains on the black market or by melting them down so I would appeal to metal dealers, not just in Bury but throughout Manchester, to be vigilant and if you come into contact with anyone offering you these chains then please do the right thing and call us.
“We are also continuing to appeal for anyone who may have seen a green VW Polo in the area at the time of the offence to come forward with any information they have.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or the independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 55 111.
