Group of men force their way into woman's home

A group of men forced their way into a woman’s home in Middleton.

At around 2pm on Wednesday 5 December 2012, a 37-year-old woman was at her home on Lands End Road when a man knocked at the door.

The man asked if he could speak to a named individual, but the woman replied he must have the wrong address as there was no-one by that name that lived in the house.

At 7.45pm, there was another knock at the door and the woman looked outside to see a group of four or five men with their faces covered.

She refused to let them in, but the men kicked the door in and came into the house.

One of the men was armed with a large silver hunting knife. They threatened the woman and ordered her to stay in the lounge, while the men searched the house.

It is believed one of the men also had a gun tucked into his trousers.

The men then left the house empty-handed and one of the men apologised to the woman as they left.

The first man is described as white, medium build and was wearing a black top with a black hoody covering his head and face. He spoke with a Manchester accent and had a large silver bladed knife with jagged edges and a holed pattern within the blade.

The second man is described as white and wearing a grey hooded top with black writing on the front and the hood up. He spoke with a Manchester accent.

The third man is described as white, medium build and spoke with a Manchester accent. He was wearing a black coat and had his face covered and it is believed he had a black handgun tucked down the back of his trouser waistband.

The two other men are described as white, wearing dark clothing and had their faces covered with clothing of some description.

Detective Constable Ruth Thompson from Rochdale CID said: “This is clearly a case of mistaken identity, but understandably, this woman has been left feeling terrified after a group of men forced their way in to her home, a place that she should feel safe, and threatened her with a knife.

“We are carrying out a number of inquiries to identify these offenders so we can take them off our streets, and we are asking for the public’s help to do this.

“We believe the man that knocked on the door that afternoon is linked to the incident that took place later that night. We are appealing to members of the public that may have seen anyone hanging around or acting suspiciously near to the Lands End Road throughout the day on 5 December, to contact us.

“Or, if you know who these men are, then do the right thing and call us – this can be done in confidence if needed.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Rochdale CID on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.