The terrifying moment a Cleveleys mum came face-to-face with raiders

A mum has told of her terror after she was confronted by raiders in her home as she held a child in her arms.
Sarah Hurst with sons Harry Hastings and Ronnie Hastings and partner Steve HastingsSarah Hurst with sons Harry Hastings and Ronnie Hastings and partner Steve Hastings
Sarah Hurst with sons Harry Hastings and Ronnie Hastings and partner Steve Hastings

Sarah Hurst was at home with three young children when two men smashed their way into the kitchen of her semi-detached house.

Today she described the moment she came face to face with the burglars in the dark at her home in Broadway, Cleveleys, after she was alerted by British Bulldog Albert.

“There was just me and the three kids,” said Sarah.

Sarah Hurst with sons Harry Hastings and Ronnie Hastings and partner Steve HastingsSarah Hurst with sons Harry Hastings and Ronnie Hastings and partner Steve Hastings
Sarah Hurst with sons Harry Hastings and Ronnie Hastings and partner Steve Hastings
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“We went to bed early and we were all together in the one bedroom.

“I heard a noise outside and I just thought it was the neighbours moving their bins about.

“Then the dogs started barking and I could hear banging.

“The dogs carried on barking and I decided to go downstairs.

Sarah Hurst with sons Harry Hastings and Ronnie Hastings and partner Steve HastingsSarah Hurst with sons Harry Hastings and Ronnie Hastings and partner Steve Hastings
Sarah Hurst with sons Harry Hastings and Ronnie Hastings and partner Steve Hastings

“I took my one-and-a-half year old Harry with me.

“I was carrying him.

“As I got down the stairs I heard a sound like marbles scattering.

“I got to the kitchen and all I could see was two figures.”

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The break-in, which happened at 10.45pm last Thursday, was a terrifying moment for 34-year-old cosmetics sales rep Sarah, who feared being confronted by the pair.

She said: “I just screamed. I just wanted to be back upstairs.

“I wanted to be out of that room.

“I had a 10-year-old and 10-week-old Ronnie up there.

“I just screamed and turned and ran. I did not look back. I went upstairs and dialled 999.

“I was just in absolute terror, I was shaking, petrified.”

It was only after Sarah summoned the courage to go back downstairs she realised just how much damage had been done by the pair, who fled empty-handed. They’d smashed all the glass in the back door.

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“Luckily the dog was there otherwise they’d have got into the house without me noticing. It has really shaken me up.

“I’m paranoid now, it’s tough going to bed and I don’t like being out of the house.”

Sarah’s partner, drainage firm boss Steve Hastings, was away competing in an Iron Man tournament in Majorca at the time.

And the couple believe the raid may well have been timed to coincide with his absence.

“They knew I was away,” said Steve.

“It’s like someone’s been watching the house.”

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Sarah said: “They’ve come in down the neighbours’ drive and over the fence.

“They’ve covered over one of the CCTV cameras, like they knew where it was.

“After the first noise I think they’ve been in the garden for 10 minutes because the dog has been barking.

“It’s like they’ve been checking what to do.”

Two men were captured on CCTV immediately before the terrifying raid.

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Lancashire Police has confirmed it is investigating a burglary in which two men approached the property, gained entry but were disturbed.

Officers believe a hammer was used to smash the glass in the back door and are appealing for witnesses.

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting reference WD1602723 of May 6.