Masked gang who broke into houses and sprayed acid on victims linked to FIVE burglaries in 46 hours

Detectives are hunting a masked gang linked to a spate of five violent burglaries around London that took place over just 46 hours.

The incidents have occurred in Brent Cross, Harrow and Southall since Wednesday, with the latest reported in Greenford on Friday evening (yesterday).

In each incident, a group of masked men forced entry to a residential address and either threatened or sprayed the occupants with a corrosive substance, before fleeing.

The suspects have been described as dressed in dark clothing and wearing balaclavas and gloves. They are believed to have fled in a dark-coloured vehicle. 

Police believe the first linked incident occurred at a residential address in Highfield Avenue, Brent Cross, on Wednesday, 29 March.

Detectives are hunting a masked gang linked to a spate of five violent burglaries around London that took place over just 46 hours

Police believe the first linked incident occurred at a residential address in Highfield Avenue, Brent Cross, on Wednesday, 29 March. Four men forced entry and threatened a woman in her 40s with a knife before throwing an unknown substance at her

The fourth incident happened in Harrowdene Road, Harrow at around 8.45pm on Friday, 31 March. Four men forced entry into a property and threatened the resident with a liquid

Officers were called at around 11.14pm to an aggravated burglary following reports that four men had forced entry into the home and threatened a woman in her 40s with a knife. An unknown substance was thrown towards the victim. It is currently unknown whether any items were taken.

A short time later, at around 11.40pm, police were alerted to an incident in Flamsted Avenue, Harrow. Four men forced entry into an address and stole a quantity of jewellery. There were no reports of any injuries.

On Thursday, 30 March, at 10.56pm, police were called to reports of an aggravated burglary at a house in Lady Margaret Road, Southall.

Police were told that four men had broken into the property armed with a knife and a screwdriver. They sprayed a corrosive liquid into the face of a man at the address and stole a safe containing cash and jewellery.

The man, aged in his 70s, was taken to hospital with facial injuries which were later assessed not to be life-threatening or life-changing.

The fourth incident happened in Harrowdene Road, Harrow at around 8.45pm on Friday, 31 March. Four men forced entry into a property and threatened the resident with a liquid. Jewellery and other items were stolen before the group fled. No one was injured.

Police were then called at 9.09pm on Friday, 31 March to Greenford Road, Greenford, after a group of men reportedly forced entry to a residential address.

Three women – one in her 60s and two in their 20s – were assaulted with a corrosive substance. They were taken to hospital for injuries that are not life-threatening or life-changing.

A team of detectives are now working around the clock to try to identify the group.

Detective Sergeant Huss Ahmed, North West Command Unit, said: ‘Local people have been rightly concerned following a number of incidents that have been reported online and on social media. We of course share that concern.

‘We can confirm we are treating five incidents across Harrow and Ealing as linked.

‘We are advising local people to be vigilant but not alarmed – stay alert to your surroundings at night, keep doors locked and windows closed, and monitor any doorbell and security camera systems to check on any suspicious activity.

‘If you have information, video or images that you think could help us, it is vital that you report it to us immediately so that we can track down and arrest the poeple responsible.’

There have been no arrests at this time.

Anyone with information can call  101, tweet @MetCC, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 using reference CAD8586/30Mar.