This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/manchester/6479029.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Gang frees man from security van | Gang frees man from security van |
(20 minutes 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. | 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 sprung Aaron Williams from a GSL security van outside Salford Magistrates' Court on Thursday morning. | |
The driver was punched in the face during the incident and suffered swelling, police said. | |
Mr Williams, 21, from Lower Broughton, was due before magistrates after being arrested for not appearing in court. | |
He was detained after failing to appear on a theft charge and was being transferred from custody at Swinton Police Station to court following his arrest on Wednesday. | |
Greater Manchester Police said they were alerted to reports that three men had attacked the security van just after 0750 GMT. | |
Services company GSL, which was responsible for the transfer, described the escape as a "very serious incident". | 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. | "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. |
"This is a very unusual incident. When this level of extreme violence is offered or used there is very little that we can do. | "This is a very unusual incident. When this level of extreme violence is offered or used there is very little that we can do. |
When this level of extreme violence is offered or used there is very little that we can do GSL security spokesman | |
"Obviously we are assisting the police in every way." | "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. | 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. | 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. |
The rear of the court building in Cleminson Street faces a housing estate, where neighbours spoke of their shock at the escape. | 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. | 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." | "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. | GSL Services is responsible for conducting about 700 prisoner transfers across the UK every year. |