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Crimestoppers offers reward of up to £5,000 for information on violent Oldham robbery

INDEPENDENT charity Crimestoppers have announced that they are offering a reward of up to £5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible for a violent robbery in Oldham.

We are told that the incident occurred, at around 7.30pm, on Friday, 18 November 2016, in Kew Road, when 2 attackers burst into the house of a pregnant mother, Fatima Bibi, who was at home, with her 4 children, ranging from 5 to 13 years.

1 of the attackers held a knife to the throat of her 6 year old daughter after her sibling opened the door and dragged her upstairs demanding to know where their safe and money were kept. Mrs Bibi begged the burglars not to harm her daughter, 1 of whom then began searching the property whilst the other put a knife to her stomach, saying:- "pregnant lady I'm going to kill you."  We are also told that the pair fled with just an iphone 5s.

► The 1st suspect is described as white, more than 6ft, of heavy build, and was wearing a black wool balaclava, dark baseball cap, with the hood of his jacket up. He wore a sleeveless black quilted jacket and a dark top, full length black wool gloves, dark blue jeans, and spoke with a local accent.

► The 2nd man is described as white, 5ft 5in, about 25 years old, with light coloured eyes, an oval shaped face, short patchy ginger beard, of medium build, and he spoke with a local accent. He was wearing a black wool hat pulled down to just above his eyebrows, with the hood from his red jumper over the hat, a black sleeveless quilted coat, black gloves and brown chinos.

Now, Crimestoppers is offering the reward of up to £5,000 for information passed to the charity that leads to the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible for this attack. Information given to the police will not qualify for the reward.  Gary Murray, Crimestoppers' North West Regional Manager, said:- "This was a terrifying attack on a mother and her children that has now left them terrified in their own home.  I'd appeal to anyone who has any information on this attack to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Please, do the right thing by your community and tell us what you know, not who you are. These people need to be brought to justice in order to ensure that no one else has to suffer such a terrifying ordeal."

Anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800 555 111 or through our Anonymous Online Form, Crimestoppers-UK.Org. All information passed to the Police, as stated, will not qualify for a reward.

Armed containment incident in Birkenhead

ON Wednesday, 18 January 2017, at around 8.10am, a 25 year old, from Prenton was arrested following an armed containment, at a house, on Raffles Road, Birkenhead. We are told that Merseyside Police Officers attended an address on Raffles Road to execute a warrant in relation to an ongoing investigation into cannabis cultivation. When officers arrived they were threatened by a male, from within the house, who we are told was in possession of a number of weapons. The man is said to have barricaded himself into a room, that had an 8 month old baby in it. The Armed Police Officers who were in attendance and put containment in place, around the property, to ensure the safety of those in the house and neighbours. Specialist negotiators then attended at the scene to persuade the man to come out. We are told by Merseyside Police that at around 2.20pm, the male came out and was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, affray and drug related offences. The 8 month old baby who was also in the property at the time of the incident was then taken from the house and is both safe and well. The male was then taken to a Police Station for questioning by Police Detectives. A search of the property led to number of weapons being recovered, including a crossbow and a machete. Merseyside Police said:- "Officers would like to thank residents for their patience and understanding throughout this incident. Officers would also like to thank the media for their co-operation and support while sensitive negotiations were ongoing to ensure the safety of the baby, the arrested man and officers who were in attendance during the incident."