Thief fought with house owners and stole diamond watch

A thief fought with the occupiers of the house he was burgling and escaped with a diamond watch.

At around 12.30am on Sunday 1 March 2015, the offender climbed into the back garden of a house on Mainway, Middleton, and used a tool to force open the patio doors.

He then combed the house for valuables, picking up a Christian Dior Ladies watch worth £5,500 from the kitchen.

Using one of the victim’s bags to collect valuables he then searched the property, taking car keys and other jewellery as he went from room to room.

However, roused by the noise, the occupants of the house tackled the intruder and wrestled with him in an attempt to stop him from escaping.

The offender dropped the bag filled with stolen property, but managed to escape down the stairs and out the patio doors towards Malvern Road.

He is described as white and was wearing a black hat or balaclava, grey tracksuit bottoms, a grey hooded tracksuit top and a dark coloured body warmer.

Detective Constable Andrew Robinson said: “The occupants of the house showed great bravery in tackling this man, who unfortunately was able to give them the slip.

“However, we believe the burglar may have injured his leg in the struggle so he would have found it difficult to get away in the aftermath.

“He dropped most of what he had taken, but still ran off with a black Christian Dior ladies watch with diamonds on the face.

“Our investigation has revealed that the offender is likely to have driven to the address in a stolen silver Ford Focus, which was found bearing a false registration plate at the junction of Moss Lane and Worcester Road in Middleton.

“If you believe you saw anything which may assist out investigation, please contact police on 0161 856 8701 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”