A 14-year-old girl in Sidcup has been left “terrified” after a burglar broke into her family’s home on Burnt Oak Lane, allegedly trapping her in her bedroom while stealing valuables from the house.
The incident occurred around 10 am on Tuesday, July 23, while her father was at work and her mother was out dropping her son off at nursery and shopping.
The father, who wishes to remain anonymous, told the News Shopper that the suspect smashed through the porch window to gain access to the property.
“He made his way upstairs and rummaged through everything in our bedroom,” the father said. He took all my wife’s jewellery, her engagement ring, her Rolex, costume jewellery, and my son’s bangles he received when he was born. All my wife has left are the earrings she’s currently wearing.”
The suspect allegedly confronted the daughter with a hammer, shouting at her and closing her into her bedroom. My daughter thought her mum came home from work, and she opened the door to see. They told her to shut her f***ing mouth, and she threw herself onto the bed and under the covers,” the father recounted.
The girl then called her father, fearing for her life. Her mother immediately rushed home without finishing her shopping, while her father called a neighbor to assist. The suspect fled the scene before the police arrived.
The Metropolitan Police acknowledged the severity of the incident. A spokesperson said, “Everyone in London has the right to feel safe in their own home. We recognize that this was a terrifying incident for the victim in this case.
The father expressed disappointment with the police response, stating he had to call them several times after the incident. Police visited the home on Friday (August 2) with new CCTV images. The investigation is ongoing, with officers gathering CCTV footage and conducting house-to-house enquiries.
The father said the incident has left a lasting impact on his daughter. “My partner isn’t sleeping. It’s not been nice; my daughter is worried to come back to the house. We’ve tried to reassure her, she’s such a bubbly character usually but she’s not herself, which is expected.”
The Metropolitan Police have urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward. The investigation continues, and officers are in contact with the victims to provide updates.
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