'20 men carrying bats and machetes' storm house in 'shocking' Accrington attack

15 to 20 masked men carrying bats, machetes and other weapons vandalised a Peugeot and a BMW in Tanpits Road, Church at around 2.05pm on Tuesday (October 13).

The group then smashed the windows of a house before breaking into the address, forcing children under the age of 10 and two women, both aged in their 20s, to hide upstairs.

The men then damaged a television, ornaments, walls, rear windows and stole money before driving away from the scene in six vehicles. No injuries were reported.

Following investigation three men were arrested in connection with the attack, but police are appealing to anyone with information to come forward.

Det Sgt Steve Munro, of Lancashire Police, said: "I believe the local community can assist with our enquiries and may know the individuals responsible or recognise the vehicles described.

"Our information suggests this was a targeted attack in an on-going dispute between two groups known to each other.

"A video of the incident is circulating on social media and while the footage is both shocking and very worrying, I would stress incidents of this nature are rare and high visibility patrols have been increased in the area."

Two men aged 35 and 27 from Bolton and a 26-year-old man from Trowbridge were arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary.

They have since been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

Police say the attack is being treated as an isolated incident and are keen to stress "offences of this nature are rare."

They are also keen to trace a blue Seat, a white Ford Transit van, a green Mitsubishi Shogun, a grey Volkswagen Passat, a dark BMW 3 Series and a silver Volkswagen Estate with a roof rack, as part of the investigation.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact police by calling 101, quoting log number 0714 of October 13.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.