Thugs threaten pensioner with screwdriver during aggravated burglary (From Croydon Guardian)

Thugs threaten pensioner with screwdriver during aggravated burglary in Purley

2:40pm Wednesday 24th October 2012 in News

Police are appealing for witnesses after two thugs forced their way into an old lady’s home and threatened her with a screwdriver despite her one year old granddaughter being present.

At around 11am on Friday 12 October, two men are said to have forced their way into the victim’s house in Downlands Road, Purley. Once inside, one of them held the 81 year-old woman on the floor and threatened her with a screwdriver, whilst the other suspect searched for valuables within the house.

The victim was looking after her one-year-old great-grand-daughter at the time, she was not harmed during the incident.

They spent around one hour searching the address and stole two laptops, an i-Pad and several items of gold jewellery before making off.

One of the men also forced off jewellery items that the woman was wearing.

The first suspect is described as a black man aged between 18-20 years old, around 5ft 2ins tall and wearing dark clothing, including a dark blue zip-up jacket with white writing on the chest panel and a dark baseball cap.

The second suspect is described as a black man aged between 18-20 years old, approximately 6ft tall, wearing dark clothing and also wearing a dark baseball cap.

DC Billy Clough, from Croydon CID who is investigating the incident said: “To see this level of violence during a burglary is very unusual and given the time that the suspects spent inside the house, we believe they may have been in and around the area, either before or after the offence was committed.

“We’re keen to hear from anybody who may have seen or heard anything unusual in the area or who may have seen two people matching the descriptions of the suspects.

”I’d also like to reassure the public that this kind of incident is rare and that police patrols in the area have been stepped up.

“However, if you have any concerns, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with police or speak to your local Safer Neighbourhoods Team.”

Anyone with information should contact Croydon police on 101 or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.