Knife thugs tie up boy,11 in £100,000 house raid

Police appeal for help to trace gang who escaped with watches and jewels

AN 11-YEAR-OLD boy was tied up with his parents as a knife gang stole jewellery worth more than £100,000 from their home.

Four men forced their way into the house in Bothwell, Lanarkshire, at about 7.30pm on Tuesday.

They threatened the father, 59, and mother, 56, with weapons including a knife before tying the family up.

Jewellery and watches worth a six-figure sum were taken from the home.

The family were uninjured but left “extremely” shaken.

The suspects all spoke in what is described as broken English.

Detective Inspector Susie Cairns said: “This was a very traumatic experience for this family and I would like to reassure the public that we are doing everything possible to track down the four men responsible.

“Officers are currently carrying out inquiries into this robbery and gathering CCTV footage to gather more information on the four men responsible.

“There are also additional police patrols in the area to provide public reassurance.

“We do, however, need the help of the local community. We are urging anyone who may have seen these men in the area prior to the robbery taking place, or who may have seen them leaving afterwards, to contact police immediately.”

All four suspects were said to be about 5ft 10in. The first was stocky with an olive complexion and wore dark clothing including a jacket, scarf, hat, tracksuit trousers and black boots. He was carrying a black and white rucksack.

The second was of medium build with an olive complexion. He was also wearing darkcoloured clothing including a hooded jacket, tracksuit trousers, hat and woollen gloves.

He wore black, beige and green camouflage print Adidas trainers.

The third was of medium build with fair complexion. He was wearing a dark hooded top with a scarf covering the lower part of his face.

He also had gloves, navy tracksuit trousers and black Nike trainers.

The fourth was of medium build with a fair complexion, wearing a dark-coloured thin padded jacket with stitched squares.

He was wearing dark brown trainers with no socks.

Police urged anyone with information to contact Cambuslang police office through 101, quoting reference number 3485 of October 31 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.