TRADERS in the Longfield Centre precinct have called for tighter security after a bank was robbed for the third time in eight years.

Armed raiders bulldozed their way into the Halifax Bank in Prestwich as staff were locking up last Friday evening.

A flat back transit van was used to plough a hole through the rear wall of the Longfield Centre branch at 5.15pm as shoppers milled through the main walkway.

Two men brandishing machetes entered the building, demanding terrified staff to give them money, before escaping with a substantial amount of cash.

The vehicle used in the robbery was later found abandoned on nearby Rectory Lane, and a second car, a Honda Civic, used by the raiders to escape was found burnt out in Bannerman Avenue.

Detective Inspector Simon Collier, of Whitefield CID, said: "The incident happened as staff were locking up. None of the staff were injured.

"We believe a total of four offenders were involved in the raid, and we would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed any part of the incident, or have any information.

"The offenders were all wearing dark clothing and their faces were covered."

The branch was closed to customers on Saturday as staff recovered from the robbery and it was back to business as usual on Monday morning, although those caught up in the raid were still shaken up by what had happened.

The feeling of fear has reverberated around the precinct, especially after a nearby betting shop was robbed recently.

As reported in last week's Guide, Needwood Racing - just a few hundred yards from the Halifax - was raided in the early hours on January 4.

Speaking about the bank raid, Mrs Sara Walker, manager of Johnsons Dry Cleaners, which is situated next to the Halifax, said: "One person who came in the shop said she saw the masked men, which is a frightening thing to see.

"This incident has certainly made people like me and other traders more jumpy. I will be contacting my area manager to improve security here for staff and customers. But more needs to be done at the Longfield Centre like installing CCTV."

One CCTV camera is already in operation in the precinct but is located on the former village green, where the water fountain now stands.

Mike Harrington, manager of Percival's Newsagents, said he would welcome even more cameras.

He said: "The more the better in my opinion. This sort of thing is bad for everyone's business. We haven't had anything for a while but a few years ago there were a lot of ramraids on the precinct and it didn't help business one bit.

"I would certainly support tighter security and I am sure traders could club together to pay for a security guard. A security guard or policeman walking around would act as a deterrent, but I have never seen a policeman on the precinct and the station is just over the road."

Mrs Walker added: "We need security at the centre. The only security round here is at the Metrolink station, which is ridculous. There is a big development going on. Would people want to move in knowing what is happening? Something really needs to be done and I am sure businesses round here will start pushing for this given this incident."

Anyone with information about the robbery should ring 0161 856 8248 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.