A SEVEN-year-old boy and his father were threatened with a knife and a hammer before being forced to hand over valuables during an aggravated burglary in Swallowfield.

At 9.30pm on Saturday, March 10, four men smashed their way into a house in Spring Lane before demanding the owner, a man in his thirties, and his young son, to take them around the house to show them the location of the safes, valuables and a gun safe.

The men then made off with a Rolex watch, serial number 4442049 model number 1002/0, dating from the 1970s with a black leather strap, and the engraving M&D 2000 on the back; an AYA no.2 side by side 12 bore shotgun with wooden stock and grey gunmetal barrels, serial number 558093; 12 standard bore shotgun shells, mostly 28g 6’s from various manufacturers; a set of silver Georgian cutlery in a box; and a black leather Mont Blanc man’s wallet. 

No-one was injured during the incident.

The main offender is described as a black man, approximately 5ft 10ins, of a large build, and aged in his late twenties. He had a London accent and was dressed in black from head to toe, and carried a knife and a hammer.

The other men were also dressed in black and were all wearing balaclavas.

One man was about 6ft and had a slim to average build. He was carrying a wooden or metal stake. Several members of the group had white soles with a white star on their black trainers.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Joanna Williams, of Berkshire Force CID, said: “Detectives are working to establish the circumstances of the aggravated burglary and we are appealing for the public’s help.

“If anyone has witnessed anything they think could be significant seen any suspicious activity in the area of the offence or been offered the property, please contact police.”