Last updated at 16:04, Thursday, 29 November 2012

DETECTIVES are continuing to investigate a robbery in Appleby - during which a man was tied up and threatened.

On Friday November 23, at 8:45pm, police were called to an address in Station Road, Appleby after a 61-year-old man, a scrap metal dealer, was attacked by three men dressed in balaclavas and dark clothing who entered a house with what’s described as baseball bats or pickaxe handles.

The victim was tied up and assaulted but managed to escape and raise the alarm and the offenders fled the scene and the victim was left very distressed and upset by the ordeal.

Detective Chief Inspector Lee Johnson said: “Between 8.30pm and 8.45pm on Friday, November 23, a robbery took place at a property on Station Road, Appleby.

“As a result of this, the offenders fled and witnesses identified a vehicle - a green Ford Focus Estate - believed to have been involved in the offence, registration number S722 ABR. Also seen, one of the offenders was described as a white male, in his early 20s, approximately 5ft 8”, of slim build with short yellow/blond hair.

“From police inquiries, we have managed to seize the aforementioned vehicle in Bishop Auckland, County Durham. Inquiries as regards the ownership, usage and locations visited by the vehicle are on-going to identify the offenders.

“There are similarities between this offence and the robbery that took place in Kendal on October 2, when a home at Castle Oval in Kendal was broken into and four males wearing masks entered the property. They tied the victims up and after making a thorough search of the house, made off with thousands of pounds worth of cash and various other items.

“I’d like to hear from witnesses who saw anybody acting suspiciously in and around Appleby between 7.30pm and 9.30pm on Friday, November 23, and also anyone who saw the green Ford Focus Estate car.

“Scrap metal dealers in Cumbria have been preparing for cashless transactions which is implemented on Monday 3rd December and therefore have very little money on the premises. I would like to reassure people that Cumbria is one of the safest places in the country and continues to be and I am confident that we will identify these offenders and, ultimately, bring them to justice.”

First published at 16:03, Thursday, 29 November 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk