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Gang frees man from security van Gang frees man from security van
(40 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 has escaped after three men armed with knives attacked a security van outside a magistrates court.
The men sprung Aaron Williams from a GSL security van outside Salford Magistrates' Court on Thursday morning. The men sprung Aaron Williams from a GSL security van outside the court in Salford on Thursday morning.
The driver was punched in the face during the incident and suffered swelling, police said.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.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. He was detained for failing to appear on a theft charge and was being transferred from 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.Greater Manchester 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
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".
It said the van was waiting to go through a barrier to enter the court's secure car park when it was targeted.
"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. Aaron Williams was arrested for failing to appear at court
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. Forensic teams examined the white Mercedes van, before towing it away for further tests.
The rear of the court building in Cleminson Street faces a housing estate, where neighbours spoke of their shock at the escape. Although the incident happened at the back of the court building, two police cars were parked in front while normal court business carried on.
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. Student Iain Wilson, 25, of nearby Kays Gardens, who can see the security gates from the rear of his property, said he thought the escape was "inevitable".
"It must have happened so quick because usually people are going to work at that time of the morning." "You often see up to three security vans queuing outside to get to the yard of the court," he said.
"I think they can only process one van at a time inside so the others have to wait outside with the prisoners inside the vans.
"You have a situation where each security guard has to get out of their vehicle and press a buzzer on the wall outside to get in rather than automatically go through."
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.