A teenage girl was robbed of a small amount of cash after falling victim to a ticket dispensing scam on the Metrolink service.
It happened at the Market Street stop just after 8pm on 7 July 2015.
Police are now warning all Metrolink users to be vigilant and be on their guard against the scam.
The 14-year-old girl had bought a travel ticket from the dispenser but did not receive any change from the machine. After ringing a Metrolink adviser, she realised a piece of Blu Tack had been placed into the change dispenser to stop the coins from dropping.
When she removed the item, her change was released at which point three offenders, two men and a woman, approached her and stole her money.
The first man was described as being white, bald and wearing a hooded jacket. The other man was white, in his late 30s, of a spotty complexion and wearing a black hooded jacket.
The third offender was a woman, white, wearing a pink hooded top.
Three people – a 36-year-old woman and two men aged 37 and 39 – have been arrested on suspicion of robbery and bailed pending further inquiries.
Officers are also keen to speak to anyone who witnessed what happened, in particular a man and a woman, said to be Asian, who came to the young girl’s aid after the robbery.
Detective Constable Dan Smith said: “This young girl was left absolutely distraught to have been robbed in this way – she was reduced to tears by the actions of these three offenders and members of the public had to help her. She was robbed of just £7 – a paltry amount – which makes the actions of the offenders utterly cowardly.
“I am appealing to anyone who witnessed what happened, in particular the man and the woman who came to her aid, to come forward. We believe the man and the woman who helped this distraught young girl could have valuable information so I would urge them to speak to us as soon as possible”.
“Police and our colleagues at Metrolink are working closely together to combat this scam which we know is in operation. Criminal groups place objects such as Blu Tack in the change dispenser so it blocks the change from coming out. When customers leave, the group return at a later time, remove the blockage and steal the change.
“I would therefore also urge people to be especially vigilant when using ticket dispensing machines and if you notice anything suspicious please report it.”
Metrolink director, Peter Cushing, said: “Outnumbering and intimidating a young girl to steal a handful of change is absolutely appalling behaviour, as is tampering with our machines in a blatant attempt to steal from our customers and I would encourage anyone with information to report it to the police
“Our customer service staff are aware of these incidents and are monitoring stations and machines and while we are doing all we can to prevent further incidents I would urge customers to be mindful and vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
