DETECTIVES in Oldham are "working hard" to bring a number of criminals to justice after three armed robberies in the borough – with two of them involving guns.
Police were sent to Manchester Road in Oldham at around 6.50pm on Tuesday, October 12 after a 26-year-old man was threatened with a gun by a robber who demanded he handed over cash and his bank card.
The offender then left on foot in the direction of Oldham town centre.
The victim did not suffer any injuries but was left "incredibly shaken" by the ordeal.
A CCTV picture has been released of a man officers want to speak to in connection with the crime.
Three days later on Friday, October 15, police were sent to Lees Village Service Station on St John Street just before 9.10am to a report of a gunpoint robbery.
A man approached the store, pointing what appeared to be a gun at staff members demanding money.
He then left with around £300 in cash.
Two CCTV images of man have been released in connection with the robbery.
Then on Monday, October 25 at around 10am, police were called to reports of an armed robbery at a shop in Town Square Shopping Centre in Oldham.
It was discovered that two men entered the shop before threatening staff with a screwdriver and leaving with cash.
No-one was injured but staff were left shaken.
The robbers left in a grey Suzuki Swift.
Images of a man wearing a Manchester United shirt have been released by officers in attempts to trace him.
No arrests have been made in connection with any of the three robberies and Greater Manchester Police have not confirmed if the crimes are linked to each other.
DCI Chris Maddocks of the force's Oldham division, said: "Incidents such as this are rare.
"My team of experienced detectives are working hard to identify these individuals and bring them to justice and I am confident we will be knocking on their doors soon.
“Our officers’ commitment is to keeping the people of Oldham safe, and they will continue to work with the community to stop incidents such as this happening in the area.
“I want to urge anyone who has any information about the incident on Manchester Street, Oldham on Tuesday, October 12 to please contact us quoting incident 2,774 of October 12 via LiveChat our reporting facility at gmp.police.uk.
"You can also contact us by dialling 101. Alternatively, you can make reports anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 in an emergency.
“If you see something, say something, and we can do something."
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