Four men arrested after officers threatened with weapons following burglary

Date published: 02 February 2012

Four men have been arrested after officers were threatened with machetes following a burglary in Bury.

Shortly after 3pm on Wednesday 1 February 2012, police were called to an address on Seddon Avenue, Radcliffe, following reports intruders, who had broken into the house, had just left.

The vehicle details were circulated to officers and the car was spotted shortly afterwards.

The offenders rammed a police car in the vehicle, a stolen Vauxhall Zafira, on Richmond Close, Whitefield, before running off from the scene.

Officers chased after the occupants of the car and were threatened with knives and machetes.

The force helicopter assisted in a search of the area and four men, aged 23, 24 and two aged 31, were subsequently arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary.

A number of weapons and some property, believed to be stolen, were recovered.

Superintendent Mark Granby, said: "Officers were quickly deployed to this incident and identified the car near to the scene.

"The suspects made every effort to escape - even threatening officers with weapons - but they were thwarted thanks to the commitment and courage of responding officers, whose actions I fully commend.

"I also want to thank local residents, who were alert to the burglary happening and provided us with key descriptions of the offenders and vehicle used, which was vital to our success."