West Norfolk rocked by armed robberies
QUIET communities across West Norfolk have been rocked by a string of terrifying armed robberies.
Four homes in Stow Bridge, Pott Row, North Runcton and Upwell have been targeted in as many days by a violent armed gang demanding cash and jewellery.
The first raid saw heavily-armed men – carrying a sawn-off shotgun, pistols and a sword – raid an elderly man's home, beating his son around the head before making off with a large quantity of cash.
Four robbers wearing balaclavas smashed their way into the house, in Stow Bridge, just before 10pm on Thursday, as the householder, a man in his 70s, watched television and his middle-aged son was asleep in bed.
The older man was able to flee the house, in The Causeway, and escape to raise the alarm, but his son, who is in his 40s, was hit at least once around the head with a sawn-off shotgun, leaving him bloody and dazed as the men demanded cash.
CUTS TO HEAD AFTER ATTACK
A steel safe, containing what is described as a large quantity of cash, was stolen along with jewellery including men's gold pocket watches and ladies' gold fob watches, and car keys.
The son was treated for cuts to his head by paramedics at the scene and both men were left shaken by the horrific experience.
Speaking exclusively to the Lynn News, the eldest victim, who does not wish to be named, said two get-away vehicles had been used by the burglars, causing him to believe six men had been involved.
He said although his son had "looked a mess," both were now recovering well from the ordeal and he hoped the unpleasant memories of that night would eventually fade.
The gang who entered the house were all white men and three of them are thought to have been in their 20s.
The third man was large, spoke with a local accent and is believed to be in his 50s.
A dark-coloured saloon vehicle was seen speeding away from the scene, but neither it or the men were traced.
News of the robbery sent shock waves around the village, where residents are struggling to come to terms with events.
One neighbour said: "This is a terrible thing to have happened in the village. It's very distressing."
Another resident added:"I am very surprised this has happened, it's usually very quiet here.
"It's very sad and unfortunate for the people who have gone through it."
Details of three further robberies in Pott Row, North Runcton and Upwell were released by the police yesterday.
In each case, an armed gang of men approached terrified householders or broke into homes demanding cash or jewellery and the robberies are being linked to a similar crime in Wisbech on Sunday.
Two elderly women living in Vong Lane, Pott Row, became the second victims when three men, armed with iron bars and wearing balaclavas, knocked on their door at 9.15pm on Friday.
The robbers forced their way inside, stealing two handbags containing around 200 cash before leaving the scene in a dark- coloured vehicle, travelling at speed towards Grimston.
At around 10.20pm the next evening, five men in a car were seen acting suspiciously in New Road, North Runcton.
When a young man in his late teens arrived home, he was confronted by three masked men armed with shotguns and an iron bar, demanding cash and jewellery from the house.
The gang fled empty-handed leaving the scene in a red or maroon-coloured Vauxhall Vectra when the victim's father set-off the property's burglar alarm.
In the attack on Sunday night, the occupants of a home in Townsend Road, Upwell, were alerted to four masked men at the back of their home, three of whom were carrying shotguns and a metal bar.
The gang demanded cash and started attacking the home, smashing a number of windows, before leaving in a dark-coloured car, possibly a Vauxhall Cavalier.
Leading the inquiry, Detective Chief Inspector Neil Firm said: "This series of robberies is extremely unusual by virtue of the premises targeted and the level of firearms used.
"We are liaising closely with colleagues in Cambridgeshire and elsewhere across the region as part of our investigation and have a number of strong lines of inquiry which we are actively pursuing. We are particularly keen to gather information on a maroon or red Vauxhall seen at the scene of one of these incidents.
"High-visibility police patrols have been stepped up and people can be reassured that our investigation will leave no stone unturned in terms of identifying and tackling those involved.
"In the mean time, I would remind householders to take the usual routine steps to ensure their home is kept secure, to keep valuables and large quantities of cash in a secure location away from the home and to report any suspicious activity or vehicles immediately to police by dialling 999 – giving as much detail as they can and vehicle registration numbers where possible."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Downham Police on 0845 456 4567 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 27 May 2012
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