Police are appealing for information after a spate of street robberies in Hale and Hale Barns, with the latest incident seeing a couple threatened by three masked men on Bankhall Lane.
Officers say they have received reports of three robberies in the area between Friday April 10th and Sunday May 3rd, with high-value watches stolen on each occasion.
The most recent occurred on Bankhall Lane in Hale at around 2pm on Sunday, when a 48-year-old man and his wife were threatened by three masked men.
The men stole the victim’s high-value watch before making off in a dark-coloured Ford Focus onto Broad Lane, heading towards Hale Road.
The offenders are described as being between 5ft 7in and 6ft 2in tall and were wearing dark tracksuits at the time of the robbery.
Although no one was injured, the victim and his wife were left “understandably shaken”.
Police believe this incident is linked to two other robberies involving the theft of high-value watches in the same area.
The first took place at around 6pm on Friday 10th April on Wicker Lane in Hale Barns, with the second at around 5:20pm on Monday 27th April on Blenheim Close, in Hale.
Detective Constable Natalie Brine, from GMP’s Trafford division, said: “I want to reassure the community that we are taking these robberies very seriously and are investigating all available lines of enquiry to try and find those responsible.
“These offenders have been targeting victims with high value watches, and I am urging that the public please take note of the advice we have issued about staying safe. When out and about, please remain cautious and alert, and report anything suspicious to police immediately.
“These robberies took place in broad daylight, and I am hopeful that there are witnesses who may have dash cam or CCTV footage relating to these incidents. If you have any information at all that could help us to complete our enquiries, please contact police as soon as possible.”
Anybody with information should contact police on 101, quoting incident number 1257 of 03/05/2020.
Reports can also be made anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
