Ormskirk family attacked in their home by knife gang

Feb 23 2012 by Tom Duffy, Ormskirk Advertiser

AN ORMSKIRK dad was attacked by a knife-wielding gang as he tried to defend his wife and six children during a violent burglary in his family’s home.

The 41-year-old man was kicked, punched and received minor knife wounds to his head while his wife and children were in the house with him.

Two men armed with knives and a third man with a baseball bat stormed the family’s house on Brighouse Close at around 9.15pm on February 14.

The gang demanded money and then attacked the dad before fleeing the property empty-handed.

Police are now appealing to anybody who witnessed anything suspicious at the time or with any information that could help them, to come forward.

DS Phil Bowerbank said: “We believe this was a targeted attack and would reassure people that a full investigation is underway.

“Fortunately, nobody was seriously injured during the family’s ordeal but they have obviously been left traumatised and we need the public’s help to find the men responsible.”

People with information can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or on-line at Crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

Earlier this month a 55-year-old man was attacked with a hammer and then locked in a cupboard by robbers who broke into his Halsall home.

Two hammer-wielding thugs, dressed in dark clothing, smashed their way into the secluded home at the end of a farm track on affluent Renacres Lane between 6.30pm and 7pm on Saturday, February 4.

The pair demanded he hand over a key to the safe and cash, before one of them grabbed his Rolex watch and then attacked him with the hammer, hitting him in the arms and legs. They stole more than £10,000 cash.

Before the pair left they locked the man in the safe cupboard although he later escaped.

A spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary said at this stage the force was not linking the two crimes.