Police are appealing for witnesses after an elderly man was robbed in Ipswich between 11pm on Wednesday August 22 and 1am yesterday morning, Thursday August 23.
Some time after 11pm on Wednesday, a group of men knocked at a property in the Handford Road area and forced their way into the property after the elderly resident opened the door.
The men threatened the victim and demanded money from him before walking the victim to the Sainsbury’s cashpoint on Hadleigh Road to withdraw cash for them.
They were at the cash machine between 12.30am and 12.40am before walking their victim back to his house and leaving him at around 1am.
When they had gone the victim phoned the police, officers arrived at his address within a matter of minutes and the area was searched but the offenders were not located.
The victim was left very shaken by this incident, but was otherwise unharmed.
There are up to seven suspects, who are described as being aged between their teens and mid-20s and believed to be eastern European.
Detective Chief Inspector Jeff Yaxley said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for the victim and our officers have been working with him over the past day to gain as much information about the incident as possible.
“I am appealing to anyone with information about this incident to contact us without delay and assist us to find the people responsible for this cowardly crime involving a group of young males ganging up against an elderly man.
“I would also urge people not to answer their door to unexpected callers – especially late at night – without first trying to establish who is outside. If you do not have a viewing hole or door chain, then look out of a front window if possible and try to speak to the callers either through your door or window.
“A genuine caller would not insist on trying to make you open the door and you should call police immediately if you feel threatened.”
Detectives are appealing for anyone who was in the area of Handford Road, London Road or Sainsbury’s in Hadleigh Road, between 11pm on Wednesday August 22 and 1am on Thursday August 23 to make contact. This includes anyone driving along those roads who have dash cams fitted in their vehicle.
Anyone with information about this incident should contact South CID on 101 quoting reference 48094/18 or the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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