10 March 2024 , 09:23
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A family returning from a pilgrimage was left speechless after logging into their home security app mid-flight and witnessing burglars ransacking their house.
Footage shows the robbers, masks and gloves on, rummaging through the house while the family were away on a pilgrimage. One of the intruders was even seen wielding a long screwdriver. The terrifying incident filmed in Rochdale has been shared by Greater Manchester Police, in a bid to address the surge in break-ins in Asian communities leading up to Ramadan.
The house owners had gone on a spiritual journey to Mecca. Halfway through their return flight, they logged onto an app on their phone that showed the horrifying event happening in their own house.
Footage shows burglars in action in the home in Rochdale (gmp)A family member who wished to stay unnamed stated: "I thought it was live. It was scary, honestly, seeing a stranger walking through the house and going through the drawers. It was horrifying." Upon landing at Manchester Airport and making their way back to their spent home, they came to know that a neighbour had already called the coppers, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The family member said: "Everything was upside down, all the drawers had been turned out and the cupboards and cabinets had been opened. They had opened all the doors and emptied boxes. Everything was inside out and all over the place. They were clearly looking for something.
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"They were going through small places where you would normally hide things, important stuff like money, jewellery and gold. It was almost like they were using a metal detector. All the cushions from the sofa had been removed, where coins might have fallen down the sides.
The man talks to PC Mohammed Latif (Manchester Evening News)"I think they knew we were away. I think somebody was watching and saw a change in hour habits and used it as an opportunity. It's very shocking. It's that sense of security you normally have in your own home, it's no longer there. You are constantly checking doors and windows and the smallest noise can wake you up and you are reliving the moment."
In the end, the only items that were taken were two 'nanny-cams' which shot and uploaded the footage, he said. The householder added: "Personally, I think they were after the car keys. We had just bought a BMW."
He mentioned that around Ramadan, Muslim families often travel to visit relatives and might spend time away from their homes, leaving them vulnerable to burglars. "It's a very social period of time and people tend to spend time with loved ones," he said.
The family said they no longer feel safe after the incident (Manchester Evening News)Even though no gold was stolen, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) believe that the house was set upon for its gold content. It is understood that thieves are specifically targeting Asian homes as, customarily, these households are more expected to have pure gold items passed down through families.
The GMP has decided to boost its patrols, especially in Asian neighbourhoods around Oldham. In addition, the force is reaching out to communities, pushing locals to fortify their home security by simply shutting doors and windows when they're out and about.
Speaking on the issue, PC Mohammed Latif from the GMP's Rochdale burglary team expressed: "This kind of crime is a constant throughout the year but there are spikes within the year, particularly when we come up to the holy month of Ramadan."