WATCH: Armed robbers smash their way into family's house

Police are investigating after three armed thieves smashed their way into a house, forcing a couple and their child to barricade themselves into a room.

A man, who works in Oldham but has asked not to be identified, and a woman - both in their 30s - barricaded themselves in with their three-year-old child, who was fast asleep in bed at the time, and called 999. 

The man suffered bruises to his hands as he tried to stop the offenders from breaking down the door to their bedroom where they were, but managed to keep them at bay. 

CCTV footage released by Greater Manchester Police - which you can watch at the top of the page - shows two members of the masked gang throwing bricks at a glass door at the back of the property in Middleton, before a third person runs towards the house armed with a hatchet.

The three offenders, who were in the house for around three minutes, fled the scene in a Blue BMW 1 series after leaving the house through the garden.

The incident happened at around 9.45pm on Friday, May 22. 

Detective Constable Melanie Jeffery said: "This is a horrific incident which has left a family understandably traumatised. Nobody should be made to feel unsafe in their own home, especially a child.

"We have released CCTV footage of three men we would like to speak to in connection with the incident and we want anyone who may have information to contact police as soon as possible.

"I ask anyone who was near or on Boardman Fold Road at the time of the burglary to try and think back to that night and recall whether they recognise the men in the video so we can establish the full details of this terrifying incident.

"I would also like to reassure the community that we are doing all we can to protect residents and find those responsible.

"I have a dedicated team of officers investigating this burglary and you will see extra patrols in the area. Please stay vigilant and report anything suspicious to the police." 

Anyone with any information in relation to this incident should contact police on 0161 856 8701, quoting incident number 2969 of 22/05/2020.

Alternatively, information can be passed on to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.