Police have recovered a number of firearms following an armed robbery of the pharmacy in Delph.
Shortly after 3.35pm on Monday 16 January 2012, police were called to the Co-operative Pharmacy on King Street, Delph to reports of an armed robbery.
A man had walked into the pharmacy and demanded prescription drugs. As he did not have a prescription the pharmacy manager refused. The offender then produced a high powered air rifle and demanded the drugs. He left the shop and was followed by a member of the public. The gun man shot at him twice and went into a house close by.
Specially trained firearms officers went to the address on Grains Road, Delph and a 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbery. He remains in police custody.
Police searched the address where they recovered a number of weapons, including three firearms and a machete.
Following the arrest local residents reported a strong smell of chemicals in the area. A search of a nearby garage was conducted and as a precautionary measure six houses were evacuated. Nothing of concern was found and residents safely returned home.
Inquiries are ongoing and police are continuing to search the surrounding area.
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Reade, said, “I want to reassure the public that this is being treated as an isolated incident. Crimes of this nature are extremely rare. Specialist officers responded quickly to initial calls of this robbery and a man was arrested shortly afterwards.”
“Further inquiries led us to carry out a search at an address, which meant a small number of residents had to be temporarily relocated. However once we had made sure the area was safe, these people were allowed to return only a few hours later. I want to thank the community for their cooperation over the last 24 hours. Extra patrols are in place to provide reassurance to the community.”
