Balaclava raiders target elderly woman - police witness appeal

At 4-40 p.m. on Saturday, two men, wearing balaclavas approached the property on Balmoral Road and rung the doorbell. When the victim answered her door, they demanded the keys to a Silver Honda Civic car parked on the driveway and threatened her with what appeared to be a claw hammer, before stealing the car using the keys.

The retired lady was left shaken but unharmed and police are urging people with any information to come forward.

The first man, who carried the hammer, has been described as white, 5ft. 10in. tall, of slim build and fair skin. He was wearing a white top and a black woollen balaclava. He has a North West accent.

The second man is described as being of a more stocky build, also white, around 5ft. 10in. tall. He was also wearing a dark balaclava but had dark brown hair protruding from the edges. He was wearing a navy blue zip-up fleece with dark trousers.

DS Mark Gillibrand of Rossendale CID said: “This was a particularly nasty incident which has left the victim extremely shaken and I am keen to for anyone who may have any information to come forward and contact us.

“In particular, I am keen to speak with anyone who may have witnessed it or any suspicious activity in the area around the time or prior to the offence.

“We believe the car was driven away along Jubilee Road towards the A56 heading to Manchester after it was stolen so I would appeal to anyone who may have been on a similar route to think back if they saw anything to come forward and let us know – any piece of information could be vital to our investigation.”

If anyone has any information, contact Rossendale CID on 01706 237349 or the communications room on 01282 425001 quoting log reference LC-20110219-1183. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.