Caught on camera: Dramatic moment security guard fought off machete-wielding gang

The 53-year-old may never regain the full use of one hand after suffering deep cuts in the attack as he was unloading cash boxes at a supermarket.

After his partner - who remained inside the armoured van - refused to let the three thugs inside, they fled empty-handed.

Scroll down for more...

The guard remonstrates with his attackers by the side of the security van in Rochdale, Greater Manchester

Yesterday, police released the dramatic footage, warning it was imperative the gang was caught.

The attack happened just after the van arrived for an early-morning delivery at the Co-op in Middleton, near Oldham.

In scenes captured by cameras on the sides of the van, the security guard was ambushed when he went outside.

Despite having only his helmet and stab-proof vest for protection, he stood up to the robbers.

In the chase that followed, one slashed him across the forearm, causing a deep cut.

Scroll down for more...

A third masked robber joins the fray as the security guard grabs another

The gang then turned to his partner, who despite being threatened refused to open the van door.

Police want to talk to the driver of a white rental van who may have seen the attack at about 8.45am on Friday, February 8.

Detective Constable Nigel Humphreys, of Rochdale CID, said: "The guard was very brave but he has suffered badly for it."

Recently, firearms officers from Greater Manchester Police have been escorting some security vans after an upsurge in "cash-in-transit" robberies.

A Home Office-supported crackdown cut such attacks from 617 in the first half of 2007 to 442 in the second, according to the British Security Industry Association.