Browse Sections
Interactive
Popular Sections
Partly sunnyNews
| 
Submit Comments
TAKING a stand ... Patricia Hampson is proud of her have-a-go hero boss.
Have-a-go boss fights back in £5,000 ambush
Bethan Dorsett11/ 9/2007
ARMED robbers got more than they bargained for when they ambushed petrol station bosses in Littleborough.
Mike Acott, manager of the BP station and assistant Patricia Hampson were attacked by two men as they walked to the bank with £5,000 worth of takings.
But while some may have fled, have-a-go-hero Mr Acott decided to fight back.
Ms Hampson explained how they were chased by the hooded men as they approached Church Street’s junction with Winton Street, shortly after 11am on Thursday.
"One of the men attacked Mike, trying to get the bag off him," she said.
"But Mike punched him and he dropped something.
"It was a fob to their getaway car which he then picked up but they pulled out a six-inch knife.
"He told me to run – I still think about that knife, it was so frightening."
The robbers got away with the bag of cash but Mr Acott, who has been the manager at the garage for two years, was determined to bring them to justice.
Ms Hampson said: "He chased after them as they escaped in a silver Vauxhall Vectra, while he was on the phone to the police, telling them what the registration number was."
"He was so very brave. We are both shaken up by what has happened and Mike has had a few days off.
"People say you should not fight back but we need to take a stand against these people.
"We were just doing our job and did not deserve to be treated this way."
Mr Acott’s actions have also been praised by Detective Inspector Daryl Chadwick from Rochdale CID.
He said: "This manager not only acted bravely but also, through his quick thinking, managed to provide the police with some potentially vital details."
The robbers are described as white and in their early 20s.
One was about 5ft 11ins and wore a black tracksuit, with a black scarf wrapped around his face.
The other was about 5ft 5 to 7ins, also wore black and had a white scarf.
Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
Most recent 1 of 1 user comments
Got an opinion you want to share?| Company | Typical APR |
| Platinum Exclusive Loan | 7.8% |
| AA | 7.9% |
| Sainsbury's Personal Loan | 8.2% |
| Alliance & Leicester | 8.7% |
| Lloyds TSB | 8.9% |
| Abbey Personal Loan | 8.9% |
| Provider | AER* |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Savings Account |
4.50% |
|
FIRST DIRECT Everyday e-Saver |
1.75% |
|
SAINSBURYS FINANCE Internet Saver |
2.25% |
12/09/2007 at 10:54