Pensioner punched in face by armed burglars who broke into the wrong house

Police are appealing for help after a 65-year-old man was punched by armed burglars who broke into the wrong address.

At around 11.20pm on Saturday 22 September 2018, two men brandishing knives forced entry through the front door of a property on Whitelees Road, Littleborough.

They confronted the occupant, a man aged 65, demanding cash and car keys.

When the man said he had neither, one of the offenders punched him in the face, causing an injury to his nose.

One of the offenders then said ‘we have the wrong address’ before they both fled in the direction of Harehill Road.

Before they left the property, one stole a ‘Makita’ branded angle grinder.

One man is described as white, 6ft tall, of medium build, dressed all in black. He was wearing a white face mask and holding a wooden-handled kitchen knife.

The second man is described as white, of medium build, wearing all black clothing and a white face mask.

Both spoke with local accents.

Detective Constable David Thornton of GMP’s Rochdale Division said: “This man was simply relaxing at home when two unknown offender burst through his front door.

“We believe that the offenders were targeting someone else and mistakenly broke into his address.

“Not content with simply leaving – they assaulted the man and stole from him.

“We’re appealing to anyone with information to contact us immediately so we can get these violent individuals off our streets.”

Information can be left with police on 0161-8568420 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.