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BRAVE customers fought back when armed raiders stormed TGI Friday's restaurant - for the second time in three weeks.

A number of diners were enjoying a drink and a meal at TGI Friday's on Bank Holiday Monday evening when two masked men walked into the restaurant armed with a machete and a kitchen knife. The robbers threatened staff and demanded the contents of the tills and safe.

However, the thugs found themselves on the wrong end of a beating when several customers attacked the duo with chairs. The pair managed to escape with just a small quantity of cash and one of the men may now be carrying a slight injury as a result of being struck by a chair.

The offenders drove away on a motorcycle with the registration number FD57 WKR. It had been stolen from Oldham on February 29. The machine has not yet been recovered.

It is the second time in three weeks that the restaurant has been targeted by armed raiders.

On Thursday, March 6, three masked men brandishing a knife and a handgun fled empty handed after a security guard unwittingly foiled the raid. The thieves had threatened a waitress and a handful of customers but panicked and ran away when the guard called in to collect cash from the safe.

Police investigating the latest incident have released descriptions of the two robbers. The one carrying the machete is white, 6ft tall, aged around 25 and slim. He was wearing dark clothes and a balaclava. His accomplice, who was armed with the kitchen knife, is described as white, 5ft 8ins tall and also aged around 25. He was wearing a grey hooded top with blue patches and black combat pants with silver buttons and writing.

The three men involved in the first raid are described as white, aged about 21 years, approximately 5ft 8 ins tall, slim and all wearing balaclava face masks and dark clothing.

None of the staff or customers caught up in the two robberies were injured although they were left shaken.

Following the second raid, TGI Friday's bosses have again been forced to review the security procedures and have now introduced security guards at the venue to deter future robbery attempts.

Mr Darrell Wade, marketing director for the company, said: "Naturally we are concerned by these events and, as always, our number one priority is that of the safety and welfare of our guests and staff. As such we are taking this extremely seriously and have taken steps to increase and review security even further, including the employment of security guards to help safeguard against future incidents.

"We are doing everything we can to cooperate with the local police and help them with ongoing investigations. "

Detectives are keen to hear from anyone with information about either incident. Bury CID can be contacted on 0161 856 8248. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

11:35am Thursday 27th March 2008

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