A GANG of armed robbers who attacked two officers in a petrol station raid had been driving a car which was found on fire in Astley early this morning, Friday.

A Volkswagen Touareg was reported to be ablaze around 4.20am on Troutbeck Drive, close to the junction of Thirlmere Avenue, 15 minutes after the vehicle was involved in a robbery at a petrol station in Walkden.

Officers were called to Ellesmere Shopping Centre where a robbery was in progress and their van was rammed repeatedly by the Volkswagen as the four men in the car tried to flee the scene.

One of the robbers then got out of the car smashing the police van with a pick axe before getting back into the 4x4 vehicle.

Both officers sustained minor injuries in the attack.

The gang had stolen a quantity of cash and cigarettes after driving their car into a side door of the petrol station to smash their way in.

The fire service also attended the scene and it took 20 minutes to put the blaze out.

Detective Sergeant Amanda Weems of GMP’s Salford borough said: “This was a shocking incident which has left two police officers injured as a result of a senseless attack by a group of violent offenders.

“We are carrying out a number of lines of enquiry this morning however I would like to seek the public’s help to track down those responsible.

“Although this happened in the early hours of the morning, it is possible that people may have seen or heard something given the disturbance that would have been caused by the robbery and subsequent attack on the officers."

Anybody with information should contact police on 101, quoting incident number 250 of 30/06/17, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.