Armed thugs threatened to ‘cut off the fingers’ of a 13-year-old girl when they broke into her family home in Hollinwood on Wednesday.
The girl was home alone in Croft Brow, Hollinwood, when the two burglars broke into the kitchen door with a paving slab, before dragging her upstairs and tying her up with the wire from a phone-charger.
They then threatened her with violence unless she told them where they could find valuables, saying ‘we will cut off your fingers’ and ‘we’ll kill you’.
The young girl was kept tied up for nearly an hour while the offenders searched the house before leaving empty handed by car.
Detective Inspector Lewis Hughes appealed for information from the public, and emphasised that pursuing the offenders was a top priority.
“This was a horrific and traumatising ordeal for the victim, who was not only subjected to terrifying threats by these thugs, but was also kept tied up for almost an hour.
“I cannot imagine how awful that must have been for her, and for her family once they discovered what had happened to their little girl.
“For two grown men to do something like this to a child shows exactly the type of people we are dealing with, they are ruthless, heartless and must be brought to justice as swiftly as possible.
“There have been no other similar incidents in the area and this seems to be a one-off, but make no mistake we will be doing everything in our power to ensure that these men are not able to subject anyone else to such an ordeal.”
The first thief has been described as black man in his 30s with a medium build at about 6 foot tall.
He had partially covered his face with a scarf and was wearing a black woolly hat, jeans, gloves, and a brown jacket.
His partner was a white man in his 20s with a skinny build standing over 6 foot tall.
He was described as clean shaven and wearing a dark woolly hat with a black jacket.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 9035 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Image courtesy of Google Maps, with thanks.
