Masked raiders burst into oap home

The men said they were looking for someone and ‘demanded to know where the drugs were’ leaving the occupant in fear for her life.

“It was terrifying for my neighbour,” said one of the home-owners who was to afraid to be named. “She was just at home when these masked men burst in saying they were looking for a man and drugs.

“It must have been really frightening for her.”

The incident happened at around 9.30pm on Saturday 8th February at a complex of warden controlled bungalows and flats at Warburton Court, off Beardall Street in the town.

There are six bungalows with 11 residents living at the complex plus the neighbouring flats.

“We couldn’t believe what had happened,” added the neighbour. “The police and forensics have been around but everyone is really scared. You just don’t expect this kind of thing to happen.

“We have had a few problems in the past with some teenagers hanging around but nothing like this.

“It’s very scary for us all and has made us nervous in our own homes as we are mainly pensioners and many are disabled.”

Police were called to the scene at the time of the incident and detectives are investigating the crime. Officers have also been offering advice on security to home-owners and acting to reassure residents.

“This sort of incident is frightening for the community and for the victim involved and we have increased police patrols to provide reassurance to local residents,” said Insp Nick Butler from Hucknall Police. “Enquiries are ongoing and I urge anyone with information to contact police and tell us what they know.”

The complex is run by Housing 21 who, according to their website, are ‘the UK’s largest non-profit care provider and a national leader in providing innovative, affordable housing for older people’.

Helen Hart, locality manager for Housing 21 said: “We understand how alarming this must have been to the residents involved but we are confident that this was a rare and isolated incident resulting from a mistaken address.

“Although there was no breach of security to the property, we will be looking at options for additional security and this will be carried out in consultation with the residents.”

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.