This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-29846996
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Bury's gold chains stolen by hammer attacker | Mayor of Bury's gold chains stolen by hammer attacker |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A hammer-wielding robber has stolen the ceremonial chains of the mayor and mayoress of Bury in a violent attack. | A hammer-wielding robber has stolen the ceremonial chains of the mayor and mayoress of Bury in a violent attack. |
| The raider hit the mayor's driver with the hammer as he loaded a briefcase containing the chains into the boot of the mayoral car on Thursday night. | The raider hit the mayor's driver with the hammer as he loaded a briefcase containing the chains into the boot of the mayoral car on Thursday night. |
| The robbery took place at about 22:25 GMT while the car was parked in the Stand Lane area of Radcliffe, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said. | The robbery took place at about 22:25 GMT while the car was parked in the Stand Lane area of Radcliffe, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said. |
| The gold and diamond chains were given to the town by Queen Victoria. | The gold and diamond chains were given to the town by Queen Victoria. |
| The balaclava-clad robber was driven off in a green VW Polo that was waiting nearby. | The balaclava-clad robber was driven off in a green VW Polo that was waiting nearby. |
| The mayor, councillor Michelle Wiseman, and her daughter Danielle, who is serving as mayoress, had been attending a service of remembrance for Radcliffe's RAF Cadets. | |
| 'Substantial reward' | |
| Supt Karan Lee said: "This is a robbery that hits at the very heart of our town in more ways than one. | Supt Karan Lee said: "This is a robbery that hits at the very heart of our town in more ways than one. |
| "Our mayoral party had just left a service commemorating the lives lost in the Second World War protecting the lives and liberties of every one of us, to then be attacked in this way, by persons who have no pride or respect." | |
| She added: "Although the gold and diamond chains are of significant historical and monetary value, having been given to the town of Bury by Queen Victoria, the scrap value will be significantly less than the loss to our heritage." | She added: "Although the gold and diamond chains are of significant historical and monetary value, having been given to the town of Bury by Queen Victoria, the scrap value will be significantly less than the loss to our heritage." |
| Supt Lee said the robbers were "ruthless and calculated", adding: "It is only by good fortune that the victim was not seriously hurt." | Supt Lee said the robbers were "ruthless and calculated", adding: "It is only by good fortune that the victim was not seriously hurt." |
| Councillor Mike Connolly, leader of Bury Council, said "Everyone connected to the borough of Bury and Bury Council will be appalled at this dreadful crime. | Councillor Mike Connolly, leader of Bury Council, said "Everyone connected to the borough of Bury and Bury Council will be appalled at this dreadful crime. |
| "The chains are an irreplaceable part of our heritage and so we are offering a substantial reward for their safe return." | "The chains are an irreplaceable part of our heritage and so we are offering a substantial reward for their safe return." |