A 16-year-old girl may need plastic surgery after being attacked in her home by two balaclava-clad men who pretended to be police officers.
The girl was with her mother and stepfather in a quiet cul-de-sac in Ashington, West Sussex when the men burst in yelling “police”.
They beat up the girl and her 41-year-old mother, who were both left with head wounds. The stepfather was hit in the stomach.
Weapon used Nothing is believed to have been stolen during the incident.
Last night the girl was at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, where detectives from West Sussex CID also questioned the family.
A police spokeswoman said the girl had suffered a deep head wound between her eyebrow and hairline which required stitches and might need plastic surgery.
She said it was not clear what the motive was for the attack and if it was random or targeted.
She continued: “The victims were woken up at 9.10pm at their home in Cricketers Close by two men who broke through the front door and shouted ‘police’.
“The suspects ran upstairs and were confronted by the mother and daughter who live at the property.
“Both were hit on the head with a weapon and the male victim [the stepfather] was also hit in the stomach. He called the police and the suspects left in a dark-coloured car.
“Both women were taken to hospital to be treated for their head wounds which required stitches.”
Detective Constable Katy Lewis said: “These men are both described as white and of a stocky build wearing dark clothing and balaclavas.
‘Scary experience’ “We are hoping someone might have seen the car the suspects used in the area and can give us some information.
“Both women have received deep wounds to their heads and were treated in hospital where one remains.
“Obviously this was a scary experience for the whole family.”
Witnesses should call Sussex Police on 101 with any details.
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