Police are investigating a series of robberies in the Shaw and Failsworth areas of Oldham.
Greater Manchester Police say a total of seven incidents have been reported to the force between 12 and 28 June.
From initial enquiries, detectives believe that vehicles are being stolen from victims with a group of men threatening violence to get access to the vehicle, with a bladed article being used in some instances to threaten drivers.
On Friday 30 June, in the Bishops Park Car Park, on Ship Lane in Delph, a car was reported stolen at around 12.30am.
Enquiries have established that the victim had been sat in his parked car, when an unknown group of approximately five men approached him and removed the keys from the ignition and threatened the victim to get out of the car. No injuries have been reported.
GMP say detectives are treating these reports as linked, and are appealing for information from members of the public to aid the investigation.
Detective Chief Inspector Lindsay Booth, of GMP's Oldham district, said: “All the incidents reported to us have followed a very similar pattern of offending so we now believe these to have been committed by the same group of people.
“It is lucky no one has been injured during these incidents and we are urging the public to be vigilant, especially whilst walking to your car at night when its dark, these robberies are happening in unlit areas where there is an absence of CCTV.
“We are now in a position in our investigation where we can appeal to the public to help us identify those responsible and we are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed a group of men wearing balaclavas in the Shaw area of Oldham.
“If you have dash-cam or mobile footage or any information that you think could assist our investigation then please get in touch. No matter how insignificant you think the information might be, it could form a vital part of the investigation.”
Anyone with information – or footage – should contact police on 0161 856 64521 or 101, quoting log 9 of 01/07/2023. Alternatively details can be passed via the LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk or via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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