Police are hunting two men who stole the Mayor of Bury’s ceremonial chains during a violent robbery in Radcliffe.

At around 10.15pm on Thursday 30th October 2014, the Mayor of Bury’s driver was placing a
briefcase containing the Mayor and Mayoress’ ceremonial gold chains into the boot of a car while parked up in the Stand Lane area of Radcliffe.

As he did so, a man in a balaclava approached him from behind and struck him on the shoulder with a hammer, before grabbing the briefcase from the boot.

The victim suffered muscle damage in his shoulder and was treated at the scene.

The offender then jumped into the passenger seat of a green-coloured VW Polo which was waiting nearby and drove off.

There was no description of the attacker, who was wearing a balaclava, though the driver of the car was a white man, aged between 30-40.

Superintendent 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 World War 1 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.

"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.

“I would appeal for anyone with any information that will help us to track down these men and retrieve the chains as soon as possible before any harm can come to them to contact us.

“These men were calculated and ruthless, waiting for the Mayor and her driver to arrive at the scene before using extreme force to achieve their goal.

“It is only by good fortune that the victim was not seriously hurt.

“We are appealing for anyone who may have seen a green VW Polo in the area at the time of the offence to come forward with any information they have.

“It is likely that these men lay in wait for the opportunity to present itself, so there is a chance passers-by could have seen them waiting."

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 committed on our First Citizen and her Deputy as they were carrying out their civic duties.
 

"The chains are an irreplaceable part of our heritage and so we are offering a substantial reward for their safe return. Our thoughts are also very much with the Mayor’s driver who was hurt during the robbery and we wish him a speedy recovery.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or the independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 55 111.