THREE teenagers and one man have been arrested after a three-hour spree of knifepoint robberies.


Witnesses across the south of the borough reported seeing a group in an Audi threatening people with knives and demanding valuables, mainly mobile phones, between 7.11pm and 10.11pm yesterday.


No one was injured in the six incidents which were reported in Heywood Road, Ringley Park, Ringley Road, Tenacre Drive, Heywood Road, Rectory Lane, Park Lane and Kings Road. 


A silver Audi A4 was then found abandoned on Julia Street, Strangeways, 17 minutes after the last call was made to police.


Two boys aged 15 and 17 and two men aged 19 and 20 were arrested nearby and remain in custody for questioning.


Detective Inspector Ian Partington, of GMP’s Bury Borough, said: “I know that these incidents caused a lot of alarm and worry for people and there was a lot of attention on social media overnight so I want to directly address the people of Bury. 


“We can only make arrests and act on intelligence received with your help so thank you for making the calls and alerting us to this serious of violent robberies.


“While we question these people in custody, we will continue to work through those intelligence reports and still welcome any information people have for us. 


“Any type of robbery is extremely shocking and should not be taken lightly, whether weapons are used or not. There is nothing that excuses those who think weapons are welcome on our streets and we’ll do everything we can to make that clear.”  

 
Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 8152 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.