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Gang frees man from security van | Gang frees man from security van |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A man in police custody escaped after three men armed with knives attacked a security van outside a court, Greater Manchester Police have said. | |
The men struck outside Salford Magistrates' Court in Bexley Square on Thursday morning. | |
The driver was punched in the face during the incident, before the men escaped with the detained man. | |
A Greater Manchester Police spokeswoman said the investigation was in its early stages and inquiries were ongoing. | A Greater Manchester Police spokeswoman said the investigation was in its early stages and inquiries were ongoing. |
A Home Office spokeswoman said the freed man had been in police custody rather than being a serving prisoner. | A Home Office spokeswoman said the freed man had been in police custody rather than being a serving prisoner. |
Police said they were alerted to reports that three men had attacked the security van just after 0750 GMT. | Police said they were alerted to reports that three men had attacked the security van just after 0750 GMT. |
When this level of extreme violence is offered or used there is very little that we can do GSL security spokesman | |
The man, in his 20s, was being transferred from custody at Swinton Police Station to court following his arrest on Wednesday. | |
He had been detained after a warrant was issued for his arrest when he failed to appear at a previous hearing at the court on a theft charge. | He had been detained after a warrant was issued for his arrest when he failed to appear at a previous hearing at the court on a theft charge. |
A police spokeswoman said the security van driver suffered minor swelling to his head as a result of being punched. | |
Services company GSL, which was responsible for the transfer, described the escape as a "very serious incident". | |
"Our prisoner custody officers have been threatened with violence and one has received injuries which we think are as a result of being punched," a spokesman said. | |
The men struck while the van was outside the court | |
"This is a very unusual incident. When this level of extreme violence is offered or used there is very little that we can do. | |
"Obviously we are assisting the police in every way." | |
Forensic teams examined the white Mercedes van and the scene of the attack on Thursday morning before towing it away for further tests. | |
Although the incident happened at the rear of the court building, two police cars were parked up in front while normal court business carried on. | |
Neighbours shocked | |
The rear of the court building in Cleminson Street faces a housing estate, where neighbours spoke of their shock at the escape. | |
One resident, who did not want to be named, said: "I was up and about early this morning but I had no idea this had happened. | |
"It must have happened so quick because usually people are going to work at that time of the morning." | |
GSL Services is responsible for conducting about 700 prisoner transfers across the UK every year. |