Audenshaw man charged after raid at Hyde shopping centre

A 42-year-old man from Audenshaw has been charged after a car ploughed through shutters at Hyde's Clarendon Square Shopping Centre and a number of fragrances were stolen from the mall's Superdrug store in an early-morning raid.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed on Saturday afternoon (28 November) that Anthony Blackley, of Barnwell Close, has been charged with burglary and theft of a motor vehicle. 

He was remanded in custody to appear before Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court on Saturday. 

The incident happened in the early hours of Friday morning (27 November), at around 12.40am. 

Police believe the people responsible drove a white Ford KA into the mall in the town centre to gain access to the building. A video shared on social media shows the car being repeatedly driven into the shutters. 

They eventually fled in a white Fiat Punto, which was then later discovered - abandoned - on Church View in Hyde and a quantity of perfume goods were recovered from the vehicle.

A short while later, a Fiat 500 was seen travelling along Bridestowe Avenue in Godley and officers from GMP's Tactical Vehicle Interception Unit became engaged in a pursuit which ended on Hattersley Road East.

Blackley was arrested at the scene but police say three other men managed to flee.  

Enquiries are still ongoing. 

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 9361, quoting incident number 33 of 27/11/20. Alternatively, details can be passed on anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The indoor mall of Clarendon Square stayed shut on Friday but stores currently allowed to open during the lockdown reopened on Saturday, although the entrance next to B&M was still closed off. 

Main image:

Damage to the building at Clarendon Square Shopping Centre. Photo credit: Darren Graham.