Burglars threaten woman with meat cleaver

A GANG of masked men threatened a woman with a meat cleaver during a terrifying raid on a Ramsbottom home.

Three men wearing balaclavas knocked at the home of a couple, on Bolton Road West, then hid behind a wall in their front garden.

Police say the homeowner left via the back door and ran off as soon as he saw one the men holding the weapon.

The men then made their way toward the back door of the house, which had been locked by the man’s girlfriend.

They started kicking the door and threatened the woman, waving the meat cleaver around aggressively.

Scared, she left the house before the three men entered, searching the house for valuables.

They then left the house and made a getaway in a white van.

The terrifying incident happened shortly after 8pm on Wednesday, March 1.

Detective Constable Keith Holt of GMP’s Bury borough said: “These three men made an innocent couple feel vulnerable in their own home, threatening a woman on her own doorstep.

“The weapon was used to intimidate and steal from the couple’s home.

“I am appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time or who saw the men or the van to get in touch with us, you could hold vital information.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 7292 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.