Family left traumatised after home raid by masked gang with crowbar

A FAMILY have been left traumatised after a gang burst into their home armed with a crowbar, police said.

The gang, wearing balaclavas, stole five shotguns and a collection of expensive jewellery during the raid at a property in High Birstwith, near Harrogate.

The offenders, described as four men of Asian appearance, left the scene in the family’s white Porsche 911 which was found abandoned nearby.

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Officers are appealing to anyone who saw any suspicious people or vehicles in the village or the surrounding area around the time of the incident at 5.15pm on Friday to get in touch.

Det Insp Andrea Kell, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “A young family were left traumatised after these offenders burst into their home wearing balaclavas and threatening them with a crowbar at around teatime on Friday evening.

“The stolen firearms could be dangerous should they fall into the wrong hands, so it is important that anyone who knows where they are or who has got them comes forward as soon as possible.

“Such crimes are fortunately rare in North Yorkshire so I would appeal to anyone with any information to come forward,” she added.

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Last month the force warned people to be on their guard following a number of high-value burglaries in affluent parts of the county.

Anyone with any information about Friday’s incident is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for Harrogate CID.