Police are investigating two violent burglaries that happened yesterday evening in Northenden and Northern Moor
In the first around 9.50pm on Wednesday three men wearing masks forced their way into a home on Greenpark Road, Northenden armed with a baseball bat, crowbar and hammer.
Once inside, the offenders shoved the woman in the house onto a sofa and punched her 77-year-old husband to the head before making demands for money.
Fortunately, a neighbour heard the chaos and went round to the house, which disturbed the offenders who fled the scene with cash found inside the property.
Both the man and woman received minor injuries.
Just under two hours later and a short distance away, a further report of burglary was made to police from a house on Kerscott Road, Northern Moor.
A 41-year-old man was walking into his home after returning from work when he was grabbed from behind by five masked offenders who dragged him into the house armed with a machete and baton-type weapons.
Once inside, both he and his wife were threatened by the offenders and demands were again made for cash.
One of the men beat the 41-year-old with a baton, causing bruising to his face and upper body before the group fled the scene with a large amount of cash.
Officers are treating these incidents as linked and are appealing for information.
Detective Inspector Tony Lea of GMP’s City of Manchester Team, said: “Due to the close proximity of these burglaries, the similar circumstances and use of violence, we are treating these incidents as linked.
“The victims in these cases were attacked and held prisoner through fear of violence in their own homes, all for some cash, which they have worked so hard and honestly to earn.
“I would like to reassure the public that we are treating this matter very seriously and have increased patrols in the area.
“I’m appealing for anyone in the area at the time who may have witnessed anything suspicious to come forward with information – I have a dedicated team of detectives working on these incidents, who are exploring all possible lines of enquiry
“The screams heard in the first burglary were loud enough for a neighbour to be alerted so I am confident other people would have heard the disturbance and have information to pass onto us.
“Similarly, the struggle in the second burglary would have raised concerns for people who were in the area at the time.
“Any accounts of what happened last night, will be used to assist in the progression of our investigation, your call can be taken anonymously and we will always treat information with the strictest confidence.”
Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 4573 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
