Policeman's gun terror

The raiders were then involved in a high speed pursuit in which pedestrians on a busy Farnworth road were lucky to escape with their lives.

And today, as a large hunt continued for the two men, the brave Bolton bobby who stared death down the barrel of a gun said: "I've no doubts whatsoever that the gunman intended to shoot me."

He added: "I had nowhere to seek cover. I'm alive to tell the tale simply because he missed me."

Armed police officers swooped on a home in Little Hulton yesterday in connection with the investigation. One man was arrested and items seized but the gunmen are still being hunted.

The drama began when the two men burst into the premises of Nobles Amusements, Newport Street, at 5.55pm on Saturday.

Brandishing handguns they threatened a manageress and her staff before grabbing a large quantity of cash. They left with their haul as the alarm was activated. As the two men emerged into Newport Street they were spotted by PC Anderson who had been alerted by the shop's alarm. They tried to run away but the police officer confronted them.

One of the thugs then pulled a gun from out of his jacket and fired two shots over the head of the police officer. The raiders then ran off but PC Anderson gave chase. He ran after them down Bold Street and into dimly-lit Back Cheapside.

As one of the men jumped into a waiting car his accomplice -- who fired the earlier shots -- warned PC Anderson to "keep back". He then fired at the police officer, who was in the middle of the car park no more than 20ft away, before diving into the car.

PC Anderson radioed for help as he attempted to chase the car on foot.

Two of his colleagues in a police van spotted the Ford Fiesta on Bradshawgate seconds later and attempted to stop the vehicle.

The car was then driven at speeds of up to 90mph along Manchester Road. At one stage one of the men pointed a gun out of the car's window and aimed it at the police van. The gun, on that occasion, was not discharged.

In an attempt to escape the two drove through a no-entry sign the wrong way up Egerton Street, Farnworth. Pedestrians had to dive out of the way to escape. They then drove along Cleggs Lane before they disappeared from view.

Police reinforcements were called to the scene and the force helicopter hovered overhead. The car was eventually discovered off Eastham Way but there was no sign of the raiders.

Police chiefs today praised the bravery of PC Anderson.

Det Insp John Chadwick of Bolton CID said: "These two men are very dangerous. They both carried firearms and were fully prepared to use them.

"It's unnerving that this sort of thing can happen in Bolton and illustrates the fact that police officers must always been mindful that members of the criminal fraternity have guns and are prepared to use them."

He added: "The police officer must be commended for the fact that despite being shot at he continued to do his duty."

PC Anderson, who lives in Bolton and has been an officer for more than six years, returned to duty yesterday. He played down his heroics saying: "I didn't want them to escape. I only thought afterwards about what could have happened."

And he added: "Perhaps next time I will be a little bit more cautious."

Police have released detailed descriptions of the two men. Both are white. One is 20-25, 6ft, slim and was wearing a beige striped jumper with a dark stripe across the middle, light coloured trousers and a light coloured woollen bob hat.

The second is 20-25, 5ft 6ins, slim/medium build wearing a navy blue jacket, light coloured trousers and a woollen bob hat. He had a scarf over the bottom half of his face.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police team on 0161 856 5653 or on the free phone Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111. All calls will be treated in confidence.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.