Double attack puts residents 'on edge'

LOCAL residents claim the community is living in fear after a man suffered a burglary and an armed robbery within two days.

The Chronicle reported yesterday how a 61-year-old man's house was broken into and then the following night three men forced their way into his home and threatened him with a hammer and knuckle duster.

Now the man's neighbours in the area around Landsberg Terrace, Failsworth, are worried after burglars forced entry via the back door, ransacked the upstairs and fled with CCTV equipment, some cash, a passport, a digital camera and a digital video camera.

Threatened

The following night three men were kicking at the victim's front door, before two of them forced their way into his home, again via the back door, and surrounded him in his living room.

The offenders threatened him with a hammer and a knuckle duster and snatched his phone and keys, which one of the men used to get into the driver's seat of the victims pick-up truck.

Although the victim struggled, he was again threatened with the hammer and the man escaped with the vehicle towards Ashton Road with the two other men running in the same direction.

The shocking and extreme incidents have left a sense of unease around the community which a local shop owner said "looks out for each other".

The owner, who wished not to be named, said: "The night it happened I had my family down and we heard about it. I couldn't believe it, it makes you a bit on edge."

He said: "There have been quite a few robberies in the local area, that seems to happen in the run up to Christmas. But when it happens like that it gets you worried.

"I have been robbed and you try to deal with it. But for them to come back a second time the next day, it's just very extreme."

All three men are described as between 20 and 30 year-olds, spoke with local accents and wore dark clothing and face coverings. Two of them were wearing 'Scream' masks and dark gloves. One was wearing red mesh-like gloves.

One is described as around 6ft tall, stocky and was armed with a hammer. Another as around 5ft 4ins to 5ft 6ins tall and of slim build. The final man is described as 5ft 10ins tall, of slim build and was carrying a baseball bat.

Police believe the incidents are connected and are urging anyone with information to contact 101.

The victim was contacted but he did not wish to comment.