Teenager threatened in his own home

Five men banged down the door to a home in Heywood and threatened a 17-year-old boy with a hammer, screwdriver and a knife.

Shortly after 8.45pm on Monday (7 September), the teenager was at his home on Starkey Street, Heywood, when he heard a noise at his front door.

He noticed the door had been damaged and was ajar.

When he opened the door fully, he was confronted by five men, three of whom were brandishing a claw hammer, a 10-inch screwdriver and a fish knife.

One of them demanded drugs from the terrified teenager, but ran away when he showed them bags near the door which contained car parts.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident and there are descriptions for three of the offenders.

One is described as being white, 5ft 7ins, of slim build, and was wearing a hood. Another is described as being white, 5ft 7ins tall, of stocky build, with ginger hair beneath his grey hood. He was wearing dark trousers.

A third offender is described as being white, slightly taller than the others, with a scarf covering the lower half of his face, which was described as being ‘rat-like’.

Detective Sergeant Sam Halligan, of Rochdale CID, said: “This must have been extremely frightening for the victim, who’s been able to provide some good descriptions of the offenders.

”I’d urge people to take note of them and if they know who is responsible, contact us.”

One man has been arrested on suspicion of affray and has been bailed pending further inquiries.

Anyone with information should call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4646 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.