Masked gang who broke into houses and sprayed acid on victims linked to FIVE burglaries in 46 hours

Detectives are hunting down a masked gang linked to a spate of five violent burglaries in London that happened in just 46 hours.

The incidents have occurred in Brent Cross, Wembley and Southall since Wednesday, with the latest reported in Greenford on Friday evening (yesterday).

In each incident, a group of masked men entered a residential address and threatened or sprayed the residents with a corrosive substance before fleeing.

The suspects have been described as wearing dark clothing and wearing balaclavas and gloves. They are believed to have fled in a dark-colored vehicle.

Police believe the first linked incident occurred at a residential address in Highfield Avenue, Brent Cross, on Wednesday, March 29.

Officers received a report of a serious burglary around 11:14 p.m. after a report that four men had forced entry into the residence and threatened a woman in her forties with a knife. An unknown substance was thrown at the victim. It is unknown at this time if any items were taken.

A short time later, at around 11.40pm, police were alerted to an incident in Flamsted Avenue, Wembley. Four men broke into an address and stole a quantity of jewellery. There were no reports of injuries.

At 10:56 pm on Thursday 30 March, the police were called to reports of a serious break-in at a house on Lady Margaret Road, Southall.

Police were told four men had broken into the property armed with a knife and screwdriver. They sprayed a corrosive liquid in the face of a man at the address and stole a safe containing money and jewelry.

The man in his 70s was taken to hospital with facial injuries that were later determined not to be life-threatening or life-altering.

The fourth incident happened at around 8.45pm on Friday 31 March at Harrowdene Road, Wembley. Four men forced their way into a home and threatened the resident with a liquid. Jewelry and other items were stolen before the group fled. No one was injured.

Police were then called at 9:09 p.m. on Friday, March 31 to Greenford Road, Greenford, after a group of men allegedly broke into a residential address.

Three women – one in their sixties and two in their twenties – were assaulted with a corrosive substance. They were taken to hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening or life-altering.

A team of detectives is now working around the clock to identify the group.

Detective Sergeant Huss Ahmed, North West Command Unit, said: ‘Local people are rightly concerned after a number of incidents reported online and on social media. We naturally share that concern.

“We can confirm that we are treating five incidents at Wembley and Ealing as linked.

“We advise locals to be vigilant but not alarmed – stay alert to your surroundings at night, keep doors locked and windows closed and check all doorbell and security camera systems to monitor suspicious activity.”

“If you have any information, videos or images that you believe may help us, it is vital that you report it to us immediately so that we can track down and arrest those responsible.”

No arrests have been made at this time.

Anyone with information can call 101, tweet @MetCC or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 with reference CAD8586/30Mar.