Blackburn bride robbed on wedding day (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn bride robbed on wedding day

1:00pm Saturday 21st April 2012 in News

A BRIDE walked in on burglars who were armed with a hammer and a knife when she went home to pick up some jewellery for her big day.

The 29-year-old had returned to her home in St James’s Road, Blackburn, at 3pm when she saw three men standing at the top of the stairs.

Although one of the men had a hammer and the other had a knife, they did not make any threats of violence against her, police said.

Police have released CCTV footage of three men they want to speak to after they were caught on camera running off down St James’s Road turning onto Openshaw Drive on Good Friday, April 6.

Officers have said the Asian woman was ‘deliberately’ targeted for her gold jewellery and said there had been an slight increase of these types burglaries in recent months.

A small amount of cash was stolen during the burglary PC Marc Coulton said: “I would urge people to take a close look at the CCTV images and if anyone thinks they recognise any of the men I would appeal to them to come forward and contact police.

“The victim in this case is Asian and we believe her home was deliberately targeted for her gold jewellery.

We suspect that the offenders had access to information that the premises would be unoccupied and that there would be valuable property within at the time of the offence worth stealing.

“These offences are taking place during daytime hours, between 2pm and 7pm, and therefore I would ask that if anyone sees anything which is out of character or slightly suspicious to call the police.

“I would also advise people not to keep large quantities of cash in their house instead and to keep jewellery and other valuable items safe and secure.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call Lancashire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppersuk.org.