Bolton branch of Stephen H Smith's Garden & Leisure loses four-figure sum after knife-wielding thief bursts into centre in daylight raid.
Staff at Stephen H Smith's Garden Leisure in Bradley Fold, Bolton were subjected to a terrifying ordeal on Monday, June 22 when a man, armed with a nine-inch butcher's knife, burst into an upstairs office and demanded money.

According to a report in the Prestwich & Whitefield Guide, two members of staff were in the office when the robbery took place at around 9.15am.

The man, who is described as white and in his 20s to early 30s, grabbed cash from the table and shouted: "This is a robbery. As long as no one moves, no one will get hurt."

The assailant put the money - said to be a four-figure sum, which was mostly in coins - into red cash bags, along with more than £1,000 worth of garden centre gift vouchers before fleeing the scene.

He is described as about 6ft tall and of a slim to medium build. He was wearing a black balaclava but his eyes, nose and mouth were still visible. The attacker was also described as having mousy brown hair, blue eyes, a thin moustache and spots around his top lip and nose. He was dressed in a brown and cream striped top, blue jeans and black ankle boots.

Bury police are currently appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

Detective constable Simon Swann of Bury CID said: "The victims got a good look at this man and have given us quite a distinctive description, so I would appeal to anyone who knows something matching that description to get in touch with us so we can trace this dangerous man and take him off the streets."

Police also believe the thief may have tried to sell the stolen gift vouchers on the black market and want to hear from anyone who has been offered vouchers like the ones that were stolen from Stephen H Smith's.

Anyone with information is asked to call Bury CID on 0161 856 8150 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.