In a disturbing incident in the picturesque town of Banbury, Oxfordshire, a family’s evening was violently interrupted when knife-wielding burglars forced their way into their home.
The terrifying attack took place on a Friday evening between 7:45 and 8:45 pm at a residence on De La Warr Drive.
Terrifying Home Invasion
The burglars, three men dressed in high-visibility jackets and carrying clipboards, knocked on the front door of the home.
The woman, in her forties, who lived there, answered the door expecting something harmless.
Instead, she was met with the shocking sight of two of the men holding knives.
The men immediately dragged her inside by the neck, followed closely by the third assailant.
Inside the home, the burglars made the woman and her two children— a teenage girl and a seven-year-old boy—stand still while they searched their pockets.
They stole their phones and, to add insult to injury, smashed the devices.
As if that wasn’t enough, the family was then locked in an upstairs bathroom while the burglars rifled through the house.
The Unsettling Aftermath
When Thames Valley Police arrived on the scene, they freed the family from the bathroom.
Strangely, nothing appeared to be stolen from the property, including the phones that had been destroyed earlier.
While the woman suffered a minor neck injury and received hospital treatment, she was later discharged.
The police investigation continues, as detectives are searching for any potential witnesses or footage that could help solve the case.
The burglars, described as wearing high-vis jackets and having their faces covered, may have left behind crucial evidence.
Police Appeal for Information
Detective Constable Daniel Smith, part of the Priority Crime Team at Banbury police station, reassured the public that there’s no evidence to suggest a wider threat to the community.
However, he emphasized the seriousness of the incident, calling it “extremely distressing” for the family involved.
He is urging anyone who may have witnessed the burglary or has information about the men involved to come forward.
Additionally, he is asking local residents who may have CCTV or dash-cam footage from the area around the time of the crime to check their recordings for anything useful.
Reports can be made through the police website or by calling 101, quoting reference number 43250004299.
Alternatively, anonymous tips can be submitted to Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111 or via their website.