Attack on House in Offerton, Stockport - 5 June 2015

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• published: 12 Jun 2015
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A man suffered a suspected heart attack following a relentless campaign of abuse and vandalism at his family's Stockport home. The 68-year-old man, who shares the home with his wife and daughter, was hospitalised after the third attack at the family home in just three weeks. During that time, the house has been repeatedly targeted with bricks thrown as missiles, full cans of paint and even smoke bombs. Police are now appealing to anyone who has information about the repeated attacks to come forward and have issued CCTV footage of the final attack, which shows the full extent of the brazen and wanton violence committed by the offenders. The first incident took place at about 10.15pm on Wednesday 13 May 2015 at the family home on Hillcrest Road in Offerton. Bricks were thrown through the dining room window, along with a smoke bomb, and a full can of paint was thrown inside the family car parked on the drive. Five days later, at about 10.45pm on 18 May, the family were again at their home when the second attack took place. This time black paint was thrown over the front of the house, the cloakroom and lounge windows were smashed with bricks and thrown into the house, narrowly missing a member of the family. Finally, the third attack took place at about 3.30pm on Friday 5 June 2015. This was the most violent and sustained attack, as five masked offenders pulled up outside the house in a car and were captured, in full view of children and parents on the school run, throwing up to 15 missiles in the form of bricks at the house. A full paint can was also thrown into the lounge, covering the room. The gang then got back into the car - thought to be a stolen black Nissan Qashqai - and drove off towards Stockport College. Police believe the same offenders, who were described as white men or teens, are responsible for each attack but at this stage no motive for the attacks have been established. Officers are now urging anyone with information to come forward. Detective Inspector Cheryl Hughes said: "It is no exaggeration to say this family have suffered a terrifying campaign of abuse at the hands of this gang. "After three attacks, they are living on their nerves in a boarded-up home in which they no longer feel safe. It is heartbreaking to think they feel so distressed in what should be the sanctity of their own home, without any clue as to why they are under repeated attack. "Following the last attack, the man was hospitalised with a suspected heart attack and while he is recovering, clearly the stress of what he and his family have endured in recent weeks has taken an unimaginable toll on the family's lives. "The missiles repeatedly thrown through the windows of the house could easily have struck a member of the family, and in doing so caused very serious - or worse - injuries. "We are doing everything we can to offer this family as much support and protection as they need at this time. The best peace of mind we can offer them is to find the culprits of these mindless and violent crimes, establish the motive and bring those responsible to justice. "I would therefore encourage anyone who has information about these attacks, or who may know the identity of those involved, to please do the right thing and come forward with what you know. "Your information could help save the lives of this family, who do not deserve for one second the abuse they have suffered." Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 9987 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.