text: Two armed robbers have been caught on camera using a sledgehammer and an axe to try and smash their way into a jewellery shop. The raiders were foiled by a brave employee who barricaded the door to the premises, and they proceeded to flee on a motorbike. A passer-by captured photographs of the two criminals, and police have now appealed for the public to help them identify the offenders. Raid: One of two robbers who used a sledgehammer and an axe to try and break in to a jewellery shop . The attempted break-in took place in Pemberton, a suburb of Wigan in Greater Manchester, on Saturday afternoon. One of the raiders used a sledgehammer to smash through an internal wooden door and the other used a axe to smash security glass at Uncle Jewellers and Pawn Brokers. When a worker barricaded the door and pushed one of them back through the broken window they fled the scene, threatening a member of the public with the axe as they did so. Greater Manchester Police are now investigating whether the incident is linked to a similar break-in at another Wigan jeweller last week, which also involved a motorbike and a sledgehammer. Getaway: The two criminals used motorbikes to escape from the scene in Wigan, Greater Manchester . Detective Sergeant Pete Carletti said: 'This attempted robbery happened in broad daylight on a busy Saturday afternoon in Pemberton town centre. 'It caused a lot of commotion and I have no doubt there are lots of potential witnesses who saw what happened and could have vital information for us. 'We have obtained a large number of names of members of the public present in the area at the relevant time but I would ask for those people who have not yet spoken to police to contact us. 'The shop worker showed incredible bravery in the face of adversity to hold these two thieves back and I would like to commend them for their actions. Vehicle: One of the motorcycles used by the raiders, who were caught on camera by a bystander . 'I would also like to thank the member of the public who was brave enough to take photos of the offenders, although we would obviously never advise people to put themselves in danger to do so in any similar situation. 'We now need to find those responsible so I would again urge anyone who witnessed this appalling attempted robbery to come forward.' Anyone with information about the raid should call police on 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
target: Two raiders tried to attack a jewellery shop in Wigan, Greater Manchester .
  They smashed in with an axe and sledgehammer but a brave employee managed to hold them back .
  Criminals escaped on a motorbike but witness caught them on camera .
  Police are now appealing for information to help them catch the raiders .