Machete gang foiled by social club customers

The eight-strong gang forced their way into the pensioner's home in Darlaston Road at around 9.30pm on Monday night while her son, who also lives there, was out.

They kicked the side door in and one of them went upstairs and into the woman's bedroom. But, fortunately for the her, men from the Nutan Social Club on the opposite side of the road scared them off.

Anant Patel, owner of the club, said: "What happened was one of my customers had just been out to have a smoke and he heard something bang.

"He came back inside and told me it sounded like someone was trying to break in.

"I went over there to see what was going on and about eight or nine guys from the club followed me out to back me up.

"I knew the man and his mother who lived there but I thought she was in hospital because I saw her go away in an ambulance last week. I shouted to whoever was there that the police were on their way so they'd better move out of there quick."

He added: "Eight guys came out, three black, five white. Two of them had knives that looked like machetes. They had six or seven-inch blades. I think one of my customers was threatened.

"Unfortunately the lady was in there, and I think they actually got into her room.

"No-one was hurt as far as I'm aware though."

West Midlands Police spokesman Brigg Ford said: "Two cars had parked up outside the flats. The ground floor is an abandoned business premises. At least one of the group went up to a second floor flat where the lady lives.

"She has seen one person, nothing was taken, no words were exchanged and no-one was injured. They heard some people from the club across the road and they've about turned, got in the cars and left.

"There was a confrontation that wasn't physical.

"We don't believe the lady was targeted or that they planned to burgle her flat.

"Both cars were driven off in the direction of Darlaston.

"No arrests have been made and investigations are still ongoing. This will have been a shocking experience for the lady.

"If anyone has information, I'd urge them to make contact with us and we can put them through to the Walsall investigations team."

Police can be contacted on 101.