Masked men disturbed in Goring attempted burglary

At about 10.45pm on Friday, February 19, a woman was awoken at her ground floor flat in Palmerston Avenue by a loud cracking noise.

She screamed for help, and her neighbour in the flat above came downstairs and disturbed three men at the rear of the property in the garden.

They are all described as wearing dark clothing with their hoods up and their faces covered with balaclavas or scarves.

As he challenged the suspects, believed to be in their late teens, the neighbour was sprayed in the face with an unknown substance, which caused him to temporarily lose his vision. This did not require medical attention.

The three men then ran south on Palmerston Avenue and cut through an alleyway to Melbourne Avenue.

On arrival, officers discovered the lounge window to the ground floor flat had been prized open.

The victim, a woman in her 60s, reported a similar incident at her home on December 15 and police believe the two may be linked.

Nothing was stolen on either occasion.

Investigating officer Thomas Carpenter said: “This has been a harrowing experience for a woman who, for no known reason, has been targeted by three masked men on two separate occasions.

“She is unaware why this has happened, as she has lived at the same address for 20 years and generally keeps herself to herself. She has no possessions of any value in her home, including no television, and she is at a loss as to why this is happening to her.

“Fortunately, the suspects were scared off on each occasion by her neighbour, who confronted them. Nevertheless, it has left the woman scared to live in her own home.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on [email protected] or call 101, quoting serial 1688 of 19/02.

Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 (www.crimestoppers-uk.org).

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