Boy threatened during break-in

A boy was threatened with a wooden bat when men broke into his home.

At about 11am on Monday 5 July 2010, the 11-year-old victim was at home alone in the first floor flat on Cleves Court, Heywood, when four men approached his front door.

They smashed the door's window, opened the lock and entered the flat. They walked up to the victim and threatened him with the bat while searching the flat.

They stole a computer and left, leaving the victim uninjured but shaken.

All the offenders were white and aged between 18 and 22. One had a slim build, short hair and worse a dark tracksuit while another was bald and chubby.

Detective Constable Julian Peach, of Rochdale Volume Crime team, said: "This must have been scary for the young victim, but thankfully he was unhurt.

"These criminals are clearly so desperate that they are willing to threaten children in their own home.

"I can reassure him, his parents and the wider community that we are now doing all we can to track down these violent criminals."

Anyone with information is asked to call the Rochdale volume crime team on 0161 856 8632 or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.