Greater Manchester Police

Tameside Home Watch Newsletter

May 2007

Schoolgirls in Towpath Knife Terror Attacks

Four terrified schoolgirls were threatened by masked knifemen in two separate daylight attacks on a canal towpath.

Police believe the attacks, which took place in the space of three days in Droylsden, may be linked.

Two men armed with kitchen knives confronted three girls, two aged 13 and one 16, on the towpath at Fairfield Road at about 4.05pm on Sunday.

The men demanded mobile phones but fled empty handed after being disturbed by anglers fishing nearby.

The girls were not hurt but they were left badly shaken.

At about 3.30pm on the previous Friday, a 16-year old girl walking along the same towpath at Manchester Road , Droylsden was threatened by two men armed with a small knife.

They demanded her mobile phone and one of them looked at it before giving it back to her.

They told her to go and warned her not to say a word to anyone.

A police spokesman said " This was a terrifying experience for all the girls, who were left badly shaken up"

"It is fortunate that none of the girls were injured in the incidents. We would appeal; to anyone who was in that area or who may know anything about the people responsible to contact us"

"We would urge people to be on their guard and report anything suspicious when walking in that area".

In both incidents the men were white, aged 18 to 19 and skinny.

They wore dark tracksuits. Anyone with information should contact PC Critchley on 0161 856 9260 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

Crime Statistics

Thefts at Cash Points

Police are urging cash-point users to take extra care after a spate of thefts across the force area.

Since the start of February, nine people - including a 74yr old man - have become victims of various scams at ATM machines

Criminals use all kinds of tactics to get their hands on someone else's cash, they will try to distract victims at the cash point, also they will look over victims' shoulders to watch them enter their pin number before stealing their cards and withdrawing money at other cash points.

Try to withdraw money during the day rather than the evening. Also check there are no suspicious devices attached to the cash points.

Emails

I am shortly going to have a new database in the office which will be able to send emails to Home Watch Co-ordinators.

Can I therefore ask that Home Watch Co-ordinators who wish to have their emails on the new database would you send your email address with your scheme address to david.clawley@gmp.police.uk.

Useful Phone Numbers

• Police: 0161 872 5050
• Crime Stoppers: 0800 555 111
• Ashton Neigjbourhood: 0161 856 9354/9350
• Denton Neighbourhood: 0161 856 9393
• Droylsden Neighbourhood: 0161 856 9397
• Stalybridge Neighbourhood: 0161 856 9549/9525/8307
• Hyde Neighbourhood: 0161 856 9483
• Mottram Neighbourhood: 0161 856 9493
• Mossley Neighbourhood: 0161 856 9485
• Dukinfield Neighbourhood: 0161 856 9983/7477/9990
• Trading Standards: 0161 342 3671

Author - David Clawley, Home Watch Administrator