TSB Branch Robbed on Opening Day in Manchester

A new bank branch has been targeted by robbers - on its first day of opening.

The TSB outlet in Prestwich, Manchester, had been open only a matter of hours when masked robbers struck.

A large quantity of cash was stolen and Lloyds Banking Group, which owns TSB, has put up a reward of up to £25,000 for information. Police are hunting two men.

The site in Prestwich was a Lloyds outlet for years and had never been robbed before, said a police source.

That changed when two suspects wearing motorcycle helmets burst through the door and stormed to the front counter. They grabbed a woman customer and threatened her until staff handed over cash, believed to be thousands of pounds.

The robbers then fled to the waiting getaway car and sped off.

DC Andy Pidd said: "This must have been scary for staff and customers, not least the customer who was grabbed and threatened.

"No-one was hurt but that doesn't lessen the impact of this crime on the victims.

"I want to hear from anyone who was there at the time, if we haven't yet spoken to you, or, indeed, anyone who may have information."

A spokeswoman for TSB said: "We can confirm that an incident occurred at the TSB branch in Prestwich.

"However, as the incident is currently under police investigation, we are unable to provide any further information."