Police warning after armed robbery practical joke in Middleton

Police officers in Middleton have warned people of the winder implications of playing practical jokes that involve the police.

Police officers responded to a report of an armed robbery in progress this afternoon (Monday 27 July) at a chemist on Wood Street, Middleton. Three men were seen entering the premises wearing masks/balaclavas and carrying a large black item.

Understandably this caused alarm to passers-by, who contacted the police.

Once officers had arrived at the scene, one male was detained near to the chemist. The two other men were in the café next door.

It then transpired that the men were known to the café owners and were playing a practical joke on them, making them believe that they were being robbed, when in fact, they were simply going for lunch.

It is understood that officers issued with Taser were deployed and were first on the scene and that Armed Response Officers had been requested to attend.

A spokesperson for Heywood and Middleton Police said: “These actions could have had some horrific consequences.

“Officers issued with Taser were deployed and were first on the scene. Can you imagine if they had entered the café, faced with masked men pretending to be robbing the place? I have no doubt the Taser would have been deployed.

“Our Armed Response Officers had also been requested to attend. What may have happened if they'd arrived first?

“This turned out to be a call made in good faith and an 'innocent' joke, but that said, several police officers drove to that location legally, but exceeding the speed limit as they treated this as an emergency.

“What if they'd hit another car or pedestrian for that matter, what if someone had died? It would be the police officer who has to live with that, let alone the one that faces an enquiry and ultimately an appearance at Coroners Court.

“I know the need for humour in the world, but please realise at times the wider implications.”