POLICE are appealing for witnesses after armed raiders bulldozed their way into a bank as staff were locking up on Friday night.
The raiders drove a flat back Transit van into a rear wall of the Halifax in the Longfield Centre, Prestwich,at 5.15pm as shoppers milled through the main shopping walkway.
Two men brandishing machetes ran into the building through the gaping hole in the wall, demanding that terrified staff hand over money.
The robbers got away with a "substantial" amount of cash.
The vehicle used in the robbery was later found abandoned in nearby Rectory Lane, and a second car, a Honda Civic, used by the raiders to escape was found burnt out in Bannerman Avenue, Prestwich.
Detective Inspector Simon Collier, of Whitefield CID, said: "The incident happened as staff were locking up. None of the staff was 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."
Anyone with information should ring 0161 856 8248 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
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