Man was assaulted when he confronted men who were acting suspiciously

A man was assaulted when he confronted men who were acting suspiciously outside a house in Rochdale.

The three men were seen in the front garden of an address on Bolton Road talking to a gardener at about 1.15pm on Monday 15 December.

A couple who were driving past thought this was suspicious and thought they may have been about to commit a burglary.

They drove past the address and the man wound down his window and one of the men approached the car and pulled out a bottle and squirted a liquid into his face. This caused his eyes to sting.

The three men left along Mead Way.

The first offender is described as white, late 30s to early 40s, around 5ft 6in tall, thick set to chubby build with a round face. He had thin eyes and wore a black woollen hat, pale grey hooded jumper and dark coloured trousers and spoke with a strong Irish accent.

The second is described as white, early 20s, shorter than the first man; he was wearing a thick black padded jacket and dark trousers and a hat. He also spoke in an Irish accent.

The third is described as white, early 20s, shorter than the first man and was wearing all dark clothing and a hat; he also spoke with an Irish accent.

Detective Constable Donna Rollinson from Rochdale division, said: “This man was only trying to look out for neighbours as he thought these men were acting suspiciously.

"His partner who was driving, drove past the garden again and stopped the car, when they confronted the men, one of them squirted something in his face. We do not know what was in the bottle but is caused the victim’s eyes to sting and reddening around his eyes.

"This happened in the early afternoon when there must have been people at home or possibly on the street where the incident occurred.

"If you witnessed the assault or have any information about the men who were in the garden that day, please call us as soon as possible."

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0161 856 8549 or independent charity Crimestoppers 0800 555 11.