In a chilling incident that unfolded on a Friday evening in Oxfordshire, a mother was subjected to a terrifying ordeal as masked intruders, armed with knives, invaded her home and held her hostage in front of her children. The incident, which occurred between 7:45 pm and 8:45 pm, began innocuously with three men approaching the house on De La Warr Drive in Banbury, carrying clipboards, seemingly posing as legitimate visitors. However, the situation quickly escalated into a nightmare as the woman, in her 40s, opened the door to greet them.
Two of the men brandished knives, instantly transforming a seemingly routine encounter into a terrifying home invasion. One of the assailants aggressively grabbed the woman by the neck, dragging her further into the house, while the other two rummaged through her pockets. The victim’s children, a teenage girl and a seven-year-old boy, were also subjected to manhandling by the intruders, adding another layer of trauma to the already horrifying situation. The invaders then confiscated the family’s phones, smashing them to prevent any immediate calls for help, and proceeded to lock the terrified children in an upstairs bathroom.
The ordeal continued until Thames Valley Police arrived at the scene, responding to an alert. Upon their arrival, the officers immediately released the traumatized children from their confinement in the bathroom. The intruders, upon realizing the police presence, fled the scene, leaving behind a shaken family and a scene of chaos. Remarkably, despite the violent nature of the intrusion, nothing of material value was stolen from the home.
The aftermath of the incident saw the mother being taken to the hospital to receive treatment for a minor neck injury sustained during the attack. Fortunately, she was later discharged, allowing her to return to her children and begin the process of recovery from the traumatic experience. While the physical injuries were minimal, the emotional scars of the event will undoubtedly linger for the family.
Thames Valley Police immediately launched an investigation into the aggravated burglary, appealing to the public for any information that could help identify and apprehend the perpetrators. The force released descriptions of the suspects, noting they wore high-visibility jackets and had their faces concealed, making identification more challenging. Investigators are particularly interested in any CCTV footage or dashcam recordings from the area around the time of the incident, hoping to capture images of the suspects or their potential escape route.
Detective Constable Daniel Smith, the investigating officer from the Priority Crime Team based at Banbury police station, sought to reassure the community, stating that there was no indication of a broader threat to the public. While acknowledging the distressing nature of the incident for the victims, he emphasized the importance of public cooperation in providing any information that might assist the ongoing investigation. The police have established multiple channels for receiving information, including a dedicated online portal, telephone hotline, and the option to report anonymously through Crimestoppers.
