Robbers Smash Into Home With Battering Ram

CCTV footage has been released of the moment masked armed robbers used a homemade battering ram to smash their way into a house.

The gang brandishing knives then terrorised the two people inside the house in Blackley, Manchester, before stealing the victims' Audi A5 car and BMW motorcycle.

The three men all wore full-face balaclavas and spoke with local accents.

Detectives investigating the robbery in Marshbrook Drive, on 20 November at 10.40pm, said it appeared to have been planned in advance.

After breaking through the locked front door, the three men split up with one holding a 7in kitchen knife to the first victim's throat, while one of the other men went upstairs and also threatened the second victim with a knife.

Keys to the householders' car and motorcycle were taken, along with a helmet and leathers.

The thieves then drove off on the bike and in the car.

The Audi was found abandoned a short time later but the motorcycle is still missing.

Detective Constable Peter Murphy said: "This was a terrifying experience for the victims, who not only suffered the shock of seeing their front door smashed open but were also terrorised by men brandishing knives.

"The thieves seemed to know exactly what they were doing and knew what they were after, so it appears as though this robbery was planned in advance.

"The CCTV does not offer much in terms of identification of these thugs, but I urge people to watch the video and contact police if they believe they recognise any of the three robbers pictured."

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