Hunt for ‘axemen’ roaming streets at night
POLICE are investigating CCTV footage as they look for two men who tried to enter homes in Oswaldtwistle at night armed with what appeared to be an axe.
The footage, captured by Neil Mooney from a CCTV camera he had installed on his house, has been described by one local councillor as ‘one of the most terrifying things he had come across in the town’.
Officers say they are looking for two men who tried to enter homes and vehicles on Rhyddings Street and Hornby Street in Oswaldtwistle.
Mr Mooney said: “It looks like [the offenders] were a couple of opportunistic people walking around the streets at 2.30am trying door handles on people’s cars and homes.”
Neil, whose footage has received thousands of hits on social media, said: “I put it on social media because I wanted my family, friends and neighbours in the area to know what is going on so they can make sure their homes are safe and secure at night.
“[The offenders] pulled down the camera right above my front door.”
The footage was captured on August 4. St Andrew’s ward councillor Peter Britcliffe said the footage was “one of the most terrifying things” he had come across in his time in Oswaldtwistle.
He said: “It’s very frightening for the people living in the area that these people are roaming the streets in the early hours of the morning. I would urge the police to take immediate action.”
John Kennedy, neigh- bourhood policing sergeant for Hyndburn, said: “The offenders attempted unsuccessfully to enter a number of vehicles and houses prior to stealing a CCTV camera using something resembling an axe to cut the camera wires.
“The incident wasn’t reported to us until the 12th – some eight days later, meaning we weren’t aware of it for over a week and were therefore unable to provide additional resources at the most appropriate time.
“We haven’t been informed of any similar occurrences in the area since this incident.
“I would like to reassure the public that this incident is under investigation and we are keen to speak to anyone who has any information.”
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.