Police rushed to the scene in Coedcae
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A NEIGHBOUR of the Swansea Valley family targeted by armed burglars has spoken of her shock as police poured into the quiet cul-de-sac.
Julie Griffiths was watching the Wales-England rugby clash with her partner and children when she heard doors slamming outside with around 10 minutes of the match remaining.
After the final whistle her partner took their dog out for a quick stroll.He came back saying there were two police vans and two police cars opposite," said Ms Griffiths, of Coedcae, on the outskirts of Pontardawe.
"My children said to me, 'Don't go out — you don't know what's going on'. But I wanted to know if everyone was safe, so I went outside to the fence.
"What I saw was incredible — two armed policemen with rifles and helmets. It's something you don't see in Coedcae, or Pontardawe.
"I said to them, 'Is everything okay?' One of them said, 'There has been a bit of an incident — go back into your house, lock your doors and your windows, and be vigilant'. That shook me."
Unbeknown to Ms Griffiths at that stage, a gang of men — at least one armed with a knife — had gained access to a semi-detached house opposite at around 6.20pm.
They demanded car keys from the occupants – a family with children.
South Wales Police said that following a struggle the men left the house without the keys, but stole a mobile phone and cash.
The man seen with a knife was described as black with a slight build. He spoke with quite a soft English accent, possibly from the Birmingham area.
He was wearing a dark, hooded top or jacket at the time of the incident. What has been described as a ski mask was covering the man's face except for his eyes. He was also wearing black latex gloves.
The victims managed to raise the alarm with their neighbours and the police were called. Nobody was seriously injured.
Ms Griffiths said police, who are appealing for information to track down the culprits, have been back and forth to the cul-de-sac since Saturday evening.
She said she hoped the culprits were caught quickly.
"People here have been worried since then (Saturday night)," she said. "They are really concerned. I have lived here for 16 years, and the only time I have seen a policeman in Coedcae was when someone's push bike was stolen about four or five years ago."
She said the family who were targeted had young children, and had lived there for around two years.
"I know them to say 'hello' to but I have never really had a conversation with them — I work away a lot," she said.
Meanwhile Michael Corben, who lives near the junction of Coedcae and Brecon Road, told the Post he had seen a man dressed in black standing in a communal parking area outside one evening last week.
"He was looking straight into our house," he said. "He was wearing black clothes, and had his hands in his pockets. I could not see his face.
"He was there for about 20 minutes. Then he took a step back, and left."
Mr Corben said he thought it was odd, but did not think too much about it until he read about Saturday's terrifying incident.
Detective Inspector Phil Sparrow described the burglary as "a concerning incident which has left the victims traumatised and shocked".
He added: "They were going about family life when the men walked into their home and asked for their car keys.
"They put up an extremely brave resistance which I am in no doubt caused the men to make off without the car they were looking for. We would like to hear from anybody who may have information."
- If you can help, phone South Wales Police on 101 quoting reference 054228 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Read more at http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/burglary/story-30133150-detail/story.html#cJpCga8yKevZS3Uj.99
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