ROBBERS smashed their way into a home and hit the owner on the head with a crowbar last night, Friday.

The occupants of the property on Wiltshire Close in Woolston were watching TV in their lounge when the break-in happened at around midnight.

They rushed into the kitchen and saw three men wearing black balaclavas and gloves in the conservatory trying to smash through the double-glazed window of the back door.

One of the homeowners shouted for his partner to flee through the front door with their dog to get help.

The brave householder tried to fend off the robbers and prevent them from entering but one of them shattered a side window and hit him over the head with a crowbar.

This caused him to collapse to the floor, with blood pouring from his scalp.

But he was able to scramble up, gashing his knee on shards of glass, as the robbers climbed through the shattered window.

He urged his girlfriend to run down the street away from the violent thugs.

Neighbours were woken by her terrified screams.

They also heard threats from the robbers shouted from the driveway that they would stab them if they returned.

The couple sought refuge in a neighbour's house while police were alerted.

Within seconds, the robbers left the scene in the homeowner's car, spinning wheels and scattering gravel from the drive across the road.

Neighbours flooded out of surrounding houses to see how they could help, but other than offer consolation, there was little they could do.

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One neighbour said: "It was awful. We were woken by the screaming and looked out of our bedroom window.

"The man had blood pouring from a head wound, and the girl was screaming, shaking and crying as he dragged her and the dog away, with the robbers shouting threats down the street at them.

"The violent scum who did this were prepared to smash their way in someone's home, use extreme violence that could have easily killed someone, and it sounds as though they were prepared to use a knife.

"All that, just to steal a car off a drive.

"The scene inside the house was horrifying; broken glass covered the whole of the kitchen/diner floor and into the sitting room, and there was a trail of blood from the back door through the house down the street.

"This is a quiet close, with decent, hard-working people.

"If this can happen here, no-one is safe in their own home now.

"The Government, the police and the courts need to take more action to keep people safe."

It is possible the thieves had been disturbed earlier by a dog as they lurked in a neighbour's garden.

Their determination to steal the white Volkswagen Scirocco R saw them return several hours later, and use the same neighbour's garden and lift a fence panel to access their victims back door.

Police arrived at the scene shortly after the thieves had fled, took statements from the victims and witnesses, and are seeking CCTV footage from neighbours.

Before he was taken to hospital, the injured victim said: "It's not worth having a good car if this is what it brings to your home."

Police have launched an appeal urging witnesses or anyone with CCTV footage to contact them.

Detective Sergeant Mark Naylor, of Warrington Local Policing Unit, said: “The victims are being supported by specialist officers.

“One of the victims sustained some minor injuries as a result of the incident.

"He was treated at hospital and has since been discharged.

“Although this was a terrifying ordeal for those involved I would like to reassure residents that incidents such as this are rare.

“I would also like to reassure them that it is believed to be an isolated incident and we have stepped up patrols in the area as a precaution.

"We are doing everything we can to identify the offenders and bring them to justice.

“We are in the early stages of the investigation and our enquiries are ongoing.

“As part of our enquiries we are appealing for anyone who was in the area and witnessed anything before, during or after the burglary incident that may help our investigation to come forward.

“The same goes for anyone who believes that they may know who the offenders are or have CCTV or dashcam footage of them, or have information or footage regarding the car that they stole from the driveway.

“The three men were wearing dark clothing and balaclavas and the white Volkswagen Scirocco R that was taken had very little fuel in it.

“If you see, or have seen, a white VW Scirocco R parked in an area in or around Warrington that seems out of place then we want to hear from you.”

If you have any information or CCTV footage that may be relevant to the investigation contact police on 101, quoting IML 461366 of give the details via https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries.

Alternatively call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Dashcam footage can be submitted online at www.cheshire.police.uk/advice-and-support/roads-and-vehicle-safety/submit-dashcam-footage.