TWO robbers face being caught red-handed after a cashbox exploded when they snatched it from a security guard.

Moments after the green cashbox was taken, a security device activated covering the box and its cash contents with red coloured dye.

Detectives in Whitefield are now appealing for witnesses to the 3.20pm robbery at Prestwich's Longfield shopping centre on Saturday.

A 44-year-old male Securicor guard had just made a cash collection from a store in the shopping centre off Bury Road in Prestwich and was returning to his vehicle when he was approached by two men on a scooter.

One got off the bike and grabbed the cashbox from the security guard's hands. The offenders then made off on the blue colour Aprilla scooter which was found a short time later abandoned on a dirt track off Butterstile Lane.

A spokesman for Whitefield CID said: "When the cashbox was stolen a security device was activated which resulted in the box and the contents being contaminated with red dye.

"There is a possibility the offenders may have this dye on their hands."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call either Whitefield CID on 0161 856 8248 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.