A GANG of armed robbers stole more than £70,000 of computers and microchips when they struck at a local firm.

Four balaclava-wearing raiders forced a door and threatened two terrified employees at Gamma Management on the Albert Close Trading Estate, Whitefield.

They were armed with baseball bats and made the employees lie face down before tying them up.

Mr Steve Liebowitz, manager of the computer suppliers, said: "Fortunately the two men were not harmed physically."

He added: "Nothing like this has ever happened before and we will be improving security measures to ensure it does not happen again."

The robbers, who struck shortly before 7pm last Friday, November 28, made off in a stolen silver Honda Civic and a white Transit van, but despite giving chase, the police lost them in Salford.

The car, which has since been found in Barnhill Drive, Prestwich, had a false registration number of R570 YNF. Its real number is N54 BJA. Police have also established that the van's registration plate of G4A SNE was false.

Det Insp Keith Dillon of Whitefield CID said: "We would ask anyone who saw these vehicles prior to or after the robbery, or anything suspicious to contact us."

Police say one of the men had a Liverpudlian accent, while a second man was aged 18-25 with a young-sounding voice. A third man was described as being large, 5ft 7ins tall with blue eyes.

The firm's insurers have now offered a reward for information leading to the return of the property and the conviction of the robbers.

Anyone with information should ring Bury Police crime management unit on 856 8157, Det Sgt Duncan Heywood at Whitefield CID on 856 8214, or freephone CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111.

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