Elderly couple devastated by knifepoint raid

A COUPLE in their eighties were left “extremely distressed” after being robbed at knifepoint when thieves barged into their home.

Police said Rosina and David Davies were in bed at their home in Pinner at about 9.45pm on New Year’s Day when they heard a knock at the front door.

Mr Davies got up and asked who it was. He heard a mumbled name and started to open the door when three men pushed through, knocking him off balance.

The men ran up the stairs and into the couple’s bedroom and started demanding money from Mrs Davies. One man pushed her onto the bed and threatened her at knifepoint.

Mrs Davies dialled 999 but the burglar grabbed the phone from her. She then shouted her neighbour’s name in the hope that she could raise the alarm. The burglar attempted to cover Mrs Davies’s mouth but she managed to break away.

The other two men ransacked the bedroom and took a quantity of cash, before all three fled. A neighbour who heard the commotion called police and officers arrived at the semi-detached house shortly afterwards.

The couple were left traumatised but unhurt. Mrs Davies said today she was still too upset to talk about the ordeal, adding: “I just want to put it all behind me.”

All three suspects are described as white and in their twenties. All had hoods and face coverings and ranged in height from 5ft 4in to 5ft 9in. One man had a scar on his face.

Detective Constable Daniel Cannon, from Harrow CID, said: “This was a nasty crime that has left Mr and Mrs Davies extremely distressed. We are determined to catch those responsible and we’d appeal to anyone with any information to contact us so we can bring them to justice.

“Burglary can be both financially costly and emotionally devastating for victims and their families.”

Police have warned of a spate of burglaries in Pinner in recent weeks.

Anyone with information should call Harrow CID on 07769 162964 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.