A QUIET cul-de-sac erupted last Thursday when armed police brought terror to two sisters and a teenage boy who were arrested, handcuffed and forced to the ground after their car was wrongly targeted during a hunt for an armed robber.

Up to 20 officers brandishing guns swooped on the two-door Peugeot outside a house in Birkdale Avenue, Hag Fold, Atherton, and began smashing the windows while ordering the three occupants to get out at gunpoint.

Heather Hook, aged 39, of Birkdale Avenue, her sister Judith Morris, aged 43, of Mayfield Street, Atherton together with 18-year-old Dean Urmston, said they initially feared for their lives because they claim police did not identify themselves when they surrounded the vehicle.

Officers arrested the teenager on suspicion of armed robbery before telling him 15 minutes later he was the victim of mistaken identity. Greater Manchester Police last night said the incident resulted from intelligence and that officers have apologised to the family.

But Mrs Hook claims police failed to say sorry following the one-hour ordeal on Thursday night.

She and her husband Paul, aged 39, have approached a solicitor to take up their case.

The drama happened after Mrs Hook was picked up outside her home by her sister. Mr Urmston, a friend of Judith Morris’s son, was in the back seat of the vehicle.

“I had just got into the passenger seat when four unmarked cars and a van pulled up and armed men jumped out,” said Mrs Hook.

“They began to smash the car windows and shouting for us to get out. When I got out, they virtually dragged me to the floor and handcuffed me. Another officer pointed a gun towards me.

“I kept on shouting ‘who are you, who are you?’ It was only after I was picked up off the ground that I noticed that one of the men was wearing a police cap. What I want is a full apology from the police and I also want the officers disciplined. What happened was just horrendous.”

Her husband, Paul, said: “Dean had just hopped in the car for a ride because it was raining. What happened was frightening. They smashed all the windows of the car and my wife was dragged out, had her head forced onto the floor while someone placed a knee in her back and handcuffed her.

“We’re traumatised by this. We thought it merited a formal apology from the police but so far we’ve just had a phone call which the daughter answered.”

Inspector Tony Hughes, of GMP, said: “This strike was conducted as a result of intelligence that a dangerous armed robber was in the car. All intelligence is carefully considered before it is acted upon but ultimately the police have a responsibility for the public’s protection. Officers have apologised to this family, none of whom were injured.

“GMP appreciates it must have been very distressing for those involved.”