Police appeal following Thomas Cook robbery
Police are appealing for witnesses to a robbery at a branch of Thomas Cook in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, in which the thieves escaped with a large amount of foreign currency.
Maxed men armed with a pickaxe handled lay in wait for staff at the George Street branch early last Monday morning. It is thought they were hiding in the store.
They appeared from a room at the back of the shop and forced two members of staff, a man and a woman, to hand over the cash.
After the robbers tied up their victims they ran out of the back of the shop.
Police describe the men as white, wearing black balaclavas. One wore a dark hooded top with blue jeans and the other a grey hooded top with dark coloured trousers.
Detective Constable Emma Bushell, of Stretford CID, said: "The whole robbery lasted around 15 minutes so the area would have been quite busy with people going to work.
"I am appealing to anyone who may have seen the men leaving the store around 9am, or if there was anyone acting suspiciously in the area prior to the robbery."
Anyone with information can call police on 856 7652 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026