Five men were cornered by a police helicopter after being linked to knifepoint robberies across Bolton, Bury and Salford this week.

Police say the men, between the ages of 18 and 55, were linked to a robbery at Clifton County Park in Salford, threats with machetes and bike thefts in Farnworth and other incidents in Bury.

They were chased down by police, including specialist officers and a helicopter, and arrested on Parkfield Road, Great Lever on Wednesday, with a police car damaged in the process.

Superintendent Ian Jones from GMP’s Bolton district said: “This fast-paced incident and response has resulted us in not only detaining a group who were causing havoc but indicates they have been doing this for some time.

“As we look to unpick further what has happened, I would like to thank members of the community who contacted us yesterday with their concerns when seeing them out and about.

A helicopter was involved in the chaseA helicopter was involved in the chase (Image: Newsquest)

“To those who took it upon themselves to vandalise a response car and disrupt our officers duties that is beyond unacceptable.

“That means we now have one less car as part of our fleet to get to other incidents to help our communities in their hour of need.”

Police first received reports of a robbery at around 3pm on Tuesday October 23 near Clifton County Park.

They then received more reports from Farnworth of a group of men allegedly with machetes on stolen e-bikes, said to be and stealing other bikes.

Officers say they believed this was the same group.

The men were eventually chased down and arrested on at around 3pm on Parkfield Road, while a house was also searched.

Officers say that it was while searching a house and disposing of items and carrying out an arrest that one of their response cars was severely damaged and made unusable.

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Detectives say they are continuing to investigate and now believe that the group are linked to other previous incidents in Bury.

Further searches overnight and into Thursday also uncovered extra high-powered e-bikes and thousands of pounds in cash.

Anyone with any further information can call detectives on 101, quoting incident 1745 of 24/10/2024.

Alternatively, witnesses can call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.