A ROCHDALE restaurant has come up with a novel way of beating the thugs.

The new manager of Frankie and Benny’s, in Sandbrook Park, which has been a regular target for armed raiders, said his number one priority is customer safety.

The eatery hit the headlines after it was raided three times in just five months.

In February, six masked men armed with kitchen knives charged into the family restaurant and held the manageress at knifepoint in front of terrified diners.

She was ordered to open the safe and the offenders grabbed £4,000 before fleeing.

Now a new cashless payment system has been introduced in an effort to thwart the robbers.

And 28-year-old manager Stephen Sinclair said the decision to remove cash from the premises was part of numerous security measures implemented over the last few months.

CCTV is now linked to the internet so recording equipment cannot be tampered with on site, the area is floodlit and security guards were even introduced at one stage.

Mr Sinclair, a father-of-one who lives in Ramsbottom, said: "Doormen were introduced, but I didn’t think it was what customers wanted to be greeted with when they arrived for a family meal, so I decided they were unnecessary.

"The cashless system has proven to be a success because what are people going to steal now? Pieces of paper?

"My main priority is to ensure that everyone feels safe in the restaurant, a lot has been done to make sure we can now move onwards and upwards.

"Lots of restaurants next to the motorway are targeted because it provides a quick getaway but they would be daft to come back here now, there’s nothing for them to steal."

Mr Sinclair, who has been in catering for 11 years, said the raids had understandably had a negative affect on business but it has started to pick up and he hopes a new menu will help lure diners back.

He added: "I want customers to know that it is safe here and there is a fantastic family atmosphere.

"We want people to feel relaxed and enjoy their meal, there is something for everyone on our menu.

"The staff have handled it very well and we are doing everything we can to put an end to everything that has happened in the past."