Robbers cocked gun at shopkeeper cradling child

Police have released shocking CCTV footage of robbers holding a gun to the head of a shopkeeper as he cradled his 15-month-old daughter in his arms.

One raider pointed the weapon at the head of the victim and cocked the gun while demanding cash.

The gunman, and another robber armed with a meat cleaver, also threatened the shopkeeper's wife, who was behind the counter, and stole cash from the till and cigarettes before fleeing from the shop in Prestwich, Greater Manchester.

The victims were left extremely shaken by what happened but all three were physically unharmed.

Detective Constable Stephen Gaskell from Greater Manchester Police, said: "To threaten a man while he held a young child in his arms is beneath contempt. The only saving grace is that she will be too young to remember this.

"These robbers are clearly desperate and don't shy away from using or threatening real violence. I want to reassure the shop staff and the wider community that we are carrying out a number of inquiries and are confident that, with the public's help, we will catch these men."

The robbers are described as white and wore balaclavas while one of them was about 5ft 7in tall with a slim build.

Anyone with information on the raid, around 6.15pm on Tuesday at Gough News, on Windsor Road, Prestwich, are asked to call police on 0161 856 8248 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.