Appeal for witnesses to aggravated burglary – Banbury

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses to an aggravated burglary in Banbury.

Between 7.45pm and 8.45pm on Friday (3/1), three men knocked on the front door of an address in De La Warr Drive.

The occupant, a woman in her forties, opened the side gate and saw two of the men were carrying knives.

One of them grabbed her around the neck with his arm and dragged her back into the property, with the other man following them.

Inside, the men searched the pockets of the occupants’ two children, a teenage girl and a seven-year-old boy, as well as hers, taking two mobile phones and smashing them.

The offenders then directed the victims upstairs and locked them in the bathroom while they searched the property before leaving.

Officers then arrived to release the victims from the bathroom. Nothing was stolen as the mobile phones were left at the address.

The woman received hospital treatment for a minor neck injury but has since been discharged.

The offenders are described as wearing high-vis jackets, had their faces covered and carrying clipboards

Investigating officer Detective Constable Daniel Smith, of the Priority Crime Team based at Banbury police station, said: “I understand this may be concerning for the community but there is nothing to suggest there is any wider threat to the public.

“Fortunately, the only injury was a minor neck injury for the female victim but this was obviously an extremely distressing incident for them all.

“I am appealing for anyone who may have witnessed this aggravated burglary or has information about it to please get in touch.

“Also, if you have any CCTV footage or any dash-cam footage if you were in the area around the time, I’d also ask that you check any recordings in case it has captured something that could assist our investigation. You can send them to me directly via this dedicated online portal.

“You can make a report by calling 101 or via our website, quoting reference number 43250004299.       

“Alternatively, you can report information anonymously to the independent charity, Crimestoppers, by calling 0800 555 111 or via its website.”

JD