A pensioner grappled with masked thugs who pulled a knife on him outside a mosque and tried to steal his car.
The victim, who is in his late 60s, was targeted by thieves after pulling up outside North Manchester Jamia Masjid, on Woodlands Road in Cheetham Hill, in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
He got out of his vehicle to close the gate to the mosque behind him, and when he turned around he saw two men trying to steal his car.
According to police, the victim managed to wrestle one of the men out of the car, before they fled in a dark-coloured vehicle that was later found abandoned on nearby Halliwell Lane.
A spokesman for GMP confirmed the vehicle - a Hyundai estate - was being examined by forensic officers.
No arrests have yet been made.
The trustees of North Manchester Jamia Masjid released a statement following the incident on May 22, saying it was believed at this state to be 'opportunistic' rather than planned.
However it urged attendees to be vigilant when attending the mosque late at night or in the early hours, and where possible travel in groups of two or three.
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It read: "On the morning of May 22, 2019, at approximately 1.20am, there was an attempted robbery at the entrance of the Masjid.
"One of the attendees whilst busy opening the mosque gate found two perpetrators attempting to steal his car whilst a further two perpetrators in another vehicle parked on standby.
"All had balaclavas on.
"The attendees and witnesses understand them to be white male adults.
"One perpetrator managed to steal the attendees mobile phone whilst the other was pushed away in a scuffle by the attendees.
"They escaped in a dark blue vehicle which was later found to have been abandoned on Halliwell Lane, Cheetham Hill.
"The police promptly attended the Masjid and have taken captured CCTV footage from the site.
"The police provisionally believed this to have been an opportunist incident rather than a planned attack however will await further investigations.
"The incident should not deter anyone from attending the Masjid but have advised attendees to be vigilant and careful when visiting the masjid late at night or in the early hours of the morning and preferable to travel in at least groups of two or three.
"Greater Manchester Police and Manchester City Council will continue to provide support and assistance especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
"If anyone has any concerns please speak to the mosque trustees who will guide you to the relevant people."
GMP said: "We were called at 1.35am on Tuesday morning to reports of a personal robbery.
"A man in his late 60s was attending the mosque and left his vehicle running as he tried to close the car park gate.
"Four unknown offenders, one armed with a knife, attempted to get into the vehicle and drive off.
"The victim managed to wrestle one of the men out of the car and they drove off in a Hyundai estate which was later recovered and is currently undergoing forensic examination.
"No arrests have been made."
Anyone with information is asked to contact GMP on 101 quoting log number 0140 of May 22, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
