THE hunt is on for a gang of criminals who forced their way into a home in Holmes Chapel as police believe they could be linked to nine similar incidents across the borough.

The aggravated burglary took place at a property on Elmore Close on Wednesday, April 13 when a group of four or five men forced their way past a couple and went into their home.

The homeowner suffered minor injuries as a result of the incident, but did not require any hospital treatment.

Police now believe that the burglary may be linked to nine other crimes which have occurred in east Cheshire between Wednesday, April 13 and Friday, April 15.

In each of the incidents a group of men have knocked on the door of the address asking to speak to an unknown person. After being told they do not live at that address the men have left for a ‘short time’ before returning to commit the crime.

Detective Sergeant Richard Johnson said: “We are currently following a number of lines of enquiry in relation to these incidents and we are keen to hear from anyone who believes that they have any information that could assist out investigations.

“I am particularly keen to speak to anyone who believes that they may have seen a group of men acting suspiciously in a dark blue car, believed to be a VW Golf.”

The first offender is described as a white man, of slim build, between 29 and 32 years of age, approximately 5ft 5in to 5ft 6in tall, with thick eye lashes, blue /grey eyes, clean shaven, an oval face and short curly light brown hair.

At the time of the incident he was wearing a dark cargo pants, with pockets on both thighs, dark laced up shoes, and had a black handkerchief with small white flowery print covering the lower part of his face. The second offender is described as a white man, of heavy build and approximately 5ft 11in to 6ft tall.

At the time of the incident he was wearing a cloth material jacket, with a zip front, grey/ black cargo pants with pockets on either thigh, dark shoes, but not black, with laces.

The third offender is described as a white man, of slim/average build, approximately 5ft 11in to 6ft tall, at the time of the incident he was wearing grey hoody.

Detective Sergeant Johnson added: “I urge anyone who believes that they are being targeted by this group of offenders to contact Cheshire Police immediately by calling 999.”

Anyone with any information in relation to the Holmes Chapel Incident should contact DS Johnson on 101 quoting incident number 933 of 13/04/2016.

Alternatively information can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.