Rugby club robbery terror
TWO people were injured during a violent robbery at a Stockport sports club. The ‘professional’ gang of five men raided Burnage Rugby Club in Heaton Mersey on Sunday night.
They hit a club member with a pick axe, and shoved a female member of staff to the floor, leaving her needing hospital treatment.
General manager Paul Moss, an ex-police officer, said: “It is quite frightening, the club member was hit twice and told to lie down on the floor.”
While it is not yet known exactly how much was taken, it is estimated to be around £2,000.
A‘PROFESSIONAL’ gang of robbers struck at a Stockport sports club - hitting a member with a pick axe and shoving a female staff member to the floor.
The raid happened at Burnage Rugby Club, on Battersea Road, Heaton Mersey, on Sunday at around 10.20pm.
After attacking the two victims the five crooks helped themselves to the contents of the safe and escaped.
It is believed the robbery lasted around two minutes and left the assistant manager needing hospital treatment for a cut head.
The club member was hit in the ribs but is not thought to be seriously injured.
Paul Moss, 56, club general manager, said: “It was very professional, they knew what they were doing and where to go.
“They knew about DNA and must have done it before, unfortunately coming up Christmas it is that time of year.
“They were solely after cash and didn’t bother with spirits. They pushed the assistant manager over when they saw she had keys.
“But she is a tough old bird, she went to casualty for a few stitches. We have given her time off but she doesn’t like fuss and wants to get back to work and move on.
“It is quite frightening, the club member was hit twice and told to lie down on the floor.”
All the gang wore balaclavas, gloves and dark clothes with hoods. It is thought most were white but one could be mixed race. One carried a pick axe type-weapon and the robber who appeared to be the leader was of large build.
Although it is unclear what the exact amount taken was, an estimate places it at potentially around £2,000.
The club will have a committee meeting in the wake of the robbery to discuss how security can be beefed up.
Although it has been burgled before this is the first robbery there.
Paul, who is himself an ex-police officer, said: “It is disgusting, to me we are not just a rugby club we are a community club.
“We support charities, look after and care about people. Then others come in and take our money that we have put a lot of work into getting.”
Police have confirmed that they have received a report of robbery at Burnage Rugby Club and are investigating.
Anyone with information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.