DETECTIVES in Trafford are appealing for witnesses after an attempted robbery and a theft in Sale on Sunday December 3.

Police believe the two incidents are linked after similar descriptions of the offenders were given.

The first incident was at The Total Service Station on Green Lane, Ashton on Mersey, at around 8.20 pm.

The cashier was alone in the shop when a boy and a girl entered, they approached the till to buy something. When the cashier opened the till the boy sprayed the cashier in the face with an unknown substance. The till was closed and the boy and girl ran out of the shop empty handed. They ran off along Greenbank Road in the direction of Carrington Lane. The cashier received hospital treatment for minor injuries.

A short time later a woman was walking on her own along Firs Road, Ashton on Mersey, when a boy and girl approached her from behind.

The boy snatched her handbag and the couple made off towards Manor Avenue.

In both cases the boy is described as white, 16 years old, 6'2" tall, thin build, wearing a black hooded top, baseball cap and dark tracksuit bottoms.

The girl is described as white, 16 years old, 5'6" tall, chubby build, wearing a dark hooded top and dark tracksuit bottoms.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Stretford CID on 0161856 7674 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.