TWO masked intruders were forced to flee empty handed after a botched raid on Bescoby’s jewellers shop in Shaw on Thursday, March 15.
One of the men forced his way into the Rochdale Road premises using a sledgehammer to smash the glass front door.
It’s also believed the pair carried an axe as part of their brazen daylight attempt to steal precious gems.
“There was a bit of scuffle inside the shop,” said owner Damian Bescoby. “Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt. At this stage we don’t think any jewellery was taken.
“People are always bringing items of sentimental value to us to be repaired and again nothing appears to have been stolen.
“The men brought a pillow case with them obviously intending to put jewellery into it but didn’t even manage to get it open.
“But they did make a mess of the front door,” added Damian who also praised the efforts of a passer-by who spotted the incident unfolding.
“I think he’s a local guy and he became a bit of a have-a-go hero when he saw what was happening, confronting one of the men outside.
“There was also a Special (PCSO) passing who was off duty and he got on his mobile straight away to alert the police.”
With the panic alarm also triggered the men eventually escaped into a getaway car, later found abandoned in another area of the town.
“We also heard that the two men were spotted near Tesco Extra putting on their masks,” added Damian. Who opened for business as usual on Friday.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “Shortly before 4.15pm police were called to reports of a burglary at a jewellers on Rochdale Road in Shaw.
“Two offenders had forced entry to the shop before fleeing from the scene in a car.
“Enquiries into the full circumstances around this incident are ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident number 1358 of 15/03/18.”