West Norfolk in grip of fear
FEAR is gripping rural households in West Norfolk after a gang of armed robbers, targeting people in their own homes, struck six times in as many days.
Shots have been fired on the last two occasions the balaclava-clad gang, who are armed with guns and knives, have ambushed householders demanding cash and jewellery.
The gang is thought to be responsible for at least six attacks with police also considering a link to another two.
There have been attacks in Nordelph, Stow Bridge, North Runcton, Upwell, Elm, near Wisbech and Wereham. Police said no-one has been seriously hurt but the gang is extremely dangerous and should not be taken on.
Norfolk's Major Investigation Team has been drafted in to hunt the gang and officers say strong lines of inquiry are being pursued but in the meantime communities need to be vigilant. Detective Chief Inspector Neil Firm said: "I would suggest anybody who carries a shotgun with them to commit crime is desperate without any shadow of a doubt.
"The amount of violence they have used is unbelievable – we haven't seen this in this side of the county before. Quite clearly they are dangerous and we do have concerns about their activities."
FORENSIC TEAMS
There is a core of 25 investigating officers working on the case along with search and forensic teams and patrolling officers.
Police have arrived on the scene of some of the crimes within one or two minutes of emergency calls being made but the gang has still got away, leading officers to believe they have extremely good local knowledge and may be escaping across off-road tracks.
They are also looking into the possibility of the gang being from one family and the significance of some of the homes targeted being linked to businesses.
The latest attack happened in Wereham, at 9pm on Monday night. Two armed men wearing balaclavas demanded to be let into the home and opened fire at the property when confronted by the householder – a man in his 50s. The man was left with injuries to his eye and groin area, which are believed to have been caused by falling masonry. The back windscreen of his car was also shattered before the men fled empty handed.
Paramedics are believed to have treated the man at the scene. An elderly woman who was also at the home was unhurt. Police cars were guarding the home in Lynn Road on Tuesday as swarms of officers arrived to gather evidence.
Close neighbour Jane Cowieson said: "I'm terrified now. It is just so unnerving."
West Norfolk Council representative for North Runcton, Middleton and West Winch councillor David Rye said a number of people have rung him for reassurance.
"Everybody is concerned it might happen to them," he said. "There is a general feel that it could be them next. We are finding it very difficult at the moment to pinpoint why they might be picking on certain people."
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 27 May 2012
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Temperature: 9 C to 26 C
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