Thugs smash into woman's home and threaten her with a hammer

Three thugs armed with weapons smashed through the door of a house in Rochdale, went upstairs into the woman’s bedroom and one of the thugs threatened the victim, a woman in her 30s, with a hammer and demanded money.

They ransacked the house and stole a number of items, including the woman’s purse and a small amount of jewellery, before making off onto Royd Street West.

The thugs, who struck shortly before 7am on Monday 11 July, spoke with local accents and were wearing black woollen balaclavas.

The first is described as a white male, around 6ft tall, with a slim build and carrying a sledge hammer.

The second is described as a white male and the third is described as a white male, around 5ft 6in tall, with a stocky build and carrying a silver claw hammer.

Detective Constable Russ Clarke from GMP’s Rochdale division said: “As you can imagine this incident has had a profound effect on the victim. She was not injured, but has been stripped of her sense of security within her own home and it is going to take some time for her to deal with what happened that morning.

“These offenders committed this offence at a time of day when it was likely the occupants would be present. Their intention was clearly to at least threaten those present in order to identify what they could steal of most value. They ransacked the address, holding the occupant in her bedroom for a significant period of time.

“I am appealing for the help of anyone who observed anything that morning, no matter how minor they feel it is, or for anyone who has information, to please get in touch so we can find those responsible and take them off our streets.”

Anyone with information can contact officers at Rochdale police station by calling 101, quoting ref 0359 of 11/07/2016, or alternatively calls can be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.