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Gang frees man from security van Gang frees man from security van
(about 1 hour later)
A man in police custody escaped after three men armed with knives attacked a security van outside a court, Greater Manchester police have said. A man in police custody escaped after three men armed with knives attacked a security van outside a court, Greater Manchester Police have said.
The men struck outside Salford Magistrates' Court at Bexley Square on Thursday morning. The men struck outside Salford Magistrates' Court in Bexley Square on Thursday morning.
The driver was punched in the face during the incident before the men escaped with the detained man. The driver was punched in the face during the incident, before the men escaped with the detained man.
A Greater Manchester Police spokeswoman said the investigation was in its early stages and inquiries were ongoing.A Greater Manchester Police spokeswoman said the investigation was in its early stages and inquiries were ongoing.
Driver hurt
A Home Office spokeswoman said the freed man had been in police custody rather than being a serving prisoner.A Home Office spokeswoman said the freed man had been in police custody rather than being a serving prisoner.
Police said they were alerted to reports that three men had attacked the security van just after 0750 GMT.Police said they were alerted to reports that three men had attacked the security van just after 0750 GMT.
The man, who is in his 20s, was being transferred from custody at Swinton Police Station to court following his arrest on Wednesday. When this level of extreme violence is offered or used there is very little that we can do GSL security spokesman
The man, in his 20s, was being transferred from custody at Swinton Police Station to court following his arrest on Wednesday.
He had been detained after a warrant was issued for his arrest when he failed to appear at a previous hearing at the court on a theft charge.He had been detained after a warrant was issued for his arrest when he failed to appear at a previous hearing at the court on a theft charge.
The police spokeswoman said the security van driver suffered minor swelling to his head as a result of being punched. A police spokeswoman said the security van driver suffered minor swelling to his head as a result of being punched.
Forensic teams are currently examining the scene of the attack before the van is towed away for further tests. Services company GSL, which was responsible for the transfer, described the escape as a "very serious incident".
"Our prisoner custody officers have been threatened with violence and one has received injuries which we think are as a result of being punched," a spokesman said.
The men struck while the van was outside the court
"This is a very unusual incident. When this level of extreme violence is offered or used there is very little that we can do.
"Obviously we are assisting the police in every way."
Forensic teams examined the white Mercedes van and the scene of the attack on Thursday morning before towing it away for further tests.
Although the incident happened at the rear of the court building, two police cars were parked up in front while normal court business carried on.
Neighbours shocked
The rear of the court building in Cleminson Street faces a housing estate, where neighbours spoke of their shock at the escape.
One resident, who did not want to be named, said: "I was up and about early this morning but I had no idea this had happened.
"It must have happened so quick because usually people are going to work at that time of the morning."
GSL Services is responsible for conducting about 700 prisoner transfers across the UK every year.