Gang break into bungalow in burglary on Thornham Drive, Sharples

A group of men forced their way into the semi-detached home on Thornham Drive and started to ransack the property.

But is not thought they made off with many valuables as they were disturbed by neighbours.

Joanne Gallagher, who lives in the bungalow next door, heard the burglars strike and saw the culprits inside the home, which she said has been vacant for a while following the death of its previous elderly occupants.

The break-in happened at around 7.30pm on Thursday.

Mrs Gallagher, 47, said: "They must have known the property was empty as they made such a racket. It was unbelievable.

"We have got dogs and they were barking.

"When we heard the noise me and my husband checked to see if it was happening in our property and then he looked over the back fence.

"He could actually see them in the house next door and the lights were on.

"I saw them moving from room to room.

"And my husband saw them climb out of a back window.

"He shouted at them and they said 'nothing to see here, we are the police' and then ran off.

"They had a car, a dark Audi, waiting on Langham Close and drove off.

"It was despicable and very brazen."

Mrs Gallagher said she saw three men, who were wearing dark clothing, but it was difficult to see how old they looked.

"It was a shock that it happened so early in the evening", she said.

"Nothing like that usually happens around here.

"It makes you wonder what they will do next.

"With everything going on at the moment (with the pandemic) we have got enough to worry about."

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are investigation.

A GMP spokesman said: "Police were called on Thursday, January 7 to a report of a burglary at an address on Thornham Drive, Bolton.

"An investigation is underway and initial enquiries are ongoing.

"No arrests have been made."

If you have any information call police on 101 quoting incident number 2,236 of January 7, or phone the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.