Trio of men armed with machetes stole 18 shotguns

Independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers, is offering a reward of up to £5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the people responsible for the violent burglary in West Handley, near Chesterfield.

A lady in her mid-sixties was attacked by three males, armed with machetes, as she went out to the yard of her farmhouse.

The couple were repeatedly threatened while the offenders searched the house.

A large amount of cash and jewellery was stolen, before one of the offenders found their gun room and stole 18 shotguns with a large quantity of shotgun cartridges. The couple were locked in the gun room before the offenders left.

During the incident, both the man and woman were injured and required hospital treatment.

Crimestoppers is now offering a reward of up to £5,000 for information passed through the charity’s anonymous 0800 555 111 number or online form at crimestoppers-uk.org leading to the arrest and conviction of the people responsible.

Lydia Patsalides, East Midlands Regional Manager for Crimestoppers, said: “This violent burglary was immensely distressing for the victims. Not only was cash and valuable jewellery stolen, but the theft of such a large number of shotguns is a serious cause for concern.

“These people need to be found and the shotguns traced, before any further harm can be done. We urge anyone with information to contact us 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111, safe in the knowledge that you will never have to give a statement to police or go to court.”