Police and neighbours speak of shock after Hucknall couple attacked in unprovoked masked raid by three men

The 64 year-old was set upon by raiders at his Auckland Road address as he stepped in to defend his 63 year-old wife.

She answered the door to their attackers who threw her to one side to gain entry.

Friends and neighbours of the couple have spoken this week of their shock at what police describe ‘as a violent, unprovoked attack’ and until the culprits are caught continue to live in fear.

Police are appealing for the public’s help: Call 101 and ask for Insp Nick Butler or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Hucknall police and neighbours have spoken of their shock and distress after a couple were attacked in their home by masked raiders.

The three men forced their way into the house in Auckland Road, Hucknall, at around 8.30pm on 1st April but got more than they bargained for when their victim hit back.

After answering a knock at the door, the thugs threw the 63-year-old wife across the kitchen where she banged her head on the oven, smashing the glass door. Her 64 year-old husband went to her aid and despite ‘throwing a few punches himself’ was brutally assaulted in the attack which was over in minutes.

He was left with a suspected broken nose and cheekbone and a fractured hand.

Bravely speaking through police this week, the man who doesn’t want to be identified, feared for other people’s safety.

“People like this go for those who they see as vulnerable. What concerns me most is that if they hit someone in their 80s like they hit me they could quite easily kill them.

“What if it was your elderly parents or your grandparents? If you know who did this then please call the police, so that it doesn’t happen to anyone else.

“We are getting CCTV and a fence around the house after what happened.”

Police are now appealing to the public for help.

“This is one of the worst attacks in my 24 years of policing,” said Insp Nick Butler of Hucknall Police. “I have met with the couple several times since their ordeal and they are extremely traumatised by the incident and the wife is unable to sleep.

“We have involved Victim Support who are offering them counselling and help after this terrible attack.

“Police forensic officers were at the house for two days followed by a clean-up team as there was a lot of blood.

“Somebody must have returned home that night covered in blood or burned their clothes and come home wearing different clothes to what they went out in,” added Insp Butler. “Somebody out there knows who did this.”

Extra patrols have been dispatched to the area with officers across the county making enquiries and visiting the homes of known offenders in a bid to find the assailants.

“I haven’t seen this level of violence for many years,” added Hucknall’s top cop. “The victim acted with courage after seeing his wife attacked and managed, against the odds, to fight back. It’s highly likely the attackers could have facial injuries too.”

Det Insp Rich Monk added: “We hope this picture might play on someone’s conscience.

“I would appeal again to anyone who knows anything about this violent, unprovoked attack to call us.

“The psychological harm caused by such an intrusion may never go away.”

The crime has sent shockwaves across the community and especially on Auckland Road, which is a quiet residential street off Polperro Way where properties are well kept and maintained.

The victims have lived there for over 40 years and neighbours said they had never experienced anything like this before.

“Everyone is completely shocked by what’s happened,” said one neighbour who has known the couple for 40 years. “It is just unbelieveable and I don’t understand it.

“How can this happen? You just don’t expect to open the door and be attacked. It is very frightening.”

The couple, who were too afraid to be named, are now fearful of further incidents.

“We didn’t put the catch on the door during the day before but now we do and I have gone round and locked all the catches on the windows.

“It has made me very nervous,” said the grandmother. “I thought my husband was being over cautious when he insisted on locking away the car in the garage at night but now I understand why.

“We look after our grandchild a lot and let her play in the garden but we won’t let her out now as it’s just not safe.

If you have any information contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.