A pensioner aged in his 70s was sprayed in the face with kitchen cleaner by a gang of robbers in what detectives called an 'appalling and cowardly' attack outside his home.
The man was targeted by four thugs - all wearing surgical face masks - who first engaged with him by claiming they were looking for a lost dog. Police said they pulled at the victim's arm to prevent him from getting into his house - then sprayed him with the corrosive kitchen cleaner.
The robbers then rifled through his pockets to take the cash he was carrying and his diary, before going into his home and searching the kitchen. The gang left in a people carrier, police added.
It's understood the man didn't need hospital treatment, but was left 'very shaken' and suffered bruising to his arm where he was pulled.
Detectives in Rossendale, Lancashire, have launched an urgent investigation and are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. The robbery happened at around 6.30pm on Thursday, December 1, at an address in Helmshore Road, Haslingden, Rossendale.
In a statement, Lancashire Police said: "The four male offenders have arrived in a dark coloured people carrier and when approached by the victim, a man in his 70s, said they were looking for a dog. They have then pulled the victim’s arm to prevent him from getting into his house and sprayed him with kitchen cleaner.
"The robbers then stole cash and a diary from the victim’s pockets before going into his house and searching the kitchen. They left the scene in the people carrier.
"The suspects are described as all wearing dark clothing, surgical masks and had their hoods up. No arrests have been made at this stage. Enquiries are ongoing."
Det Con Vicky Holt, of East CID, said: "This was an appalling and cowardly offence committed against a vulnerable pensioner outside his home. He has been left very shaken and suffered bruising to his arm as a result of the attack.
"Our investigation is very much ongoing and we are now asking anybody with information to come forward. I would ask people to check CCTV and dashcam footage to see if they have captured a dark coloured people carrier in the area on Thursday evening."
Anyone with information is asked to email 3604@lancashire.police.uk or call 101, quoting log 1088 of December 1, 2022.
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