ROBBERS threatened a man with a knife and stole his moped, in a broad daylight attack, before abandoning it a few minutes later.

The moped's owner had been placing the vehicle at the side of a property in Elms Road, Whitefield, at around 2.25pm yesterday, when three men with their faces covered approached him.

One of the offenders threatened the man with a knife and demanded he hand over his keys.

The man managed to escape uninjured and run behind a locked gate at the property.

However, the robbers then made off with the moped by pushing it away.

Only a few minutes the later the moped was found abandoned a short distance away on Devon Mews and was returned to the owner.

Police are now appealing for anyone with any information to come forward.

Detective Constable John Dineen of Greater Manchester Police’s Bury District said: “While we have limited descriptions of the offenders, this incident occurred during daylight in a built up residential area.

“The offenders would likely have been visible pushing the moped for a short period after the robbery, before abandoning it."

The first offender is described as white, around 5ft 10ins tall, slim, aged between his mid-teens to early twenties and was wearing a blue hooded top with a grey face covering.

The second offender is described as around 5ft 10ins tall, slim and was wearing dark clothing with his face covered.

The third man was around 5ft 6ins tall and was wearing dark clothing.

DC Dineen added: "Thankfully the man was able to escape uninjured after being confronted, and his bike was recovered a short time later.

“We are keen to speak to anyone who saw this incident take place, or who has any information that might assist our investigation."

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 8172 quoting incident number 1357 of 22/06/19 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.