Criminals cut through woman's door with 'chainsaw'

The criminals were cutting through the door when they were disturbed by the victim

Criminals cut through a woman's door with what was believed to be a chainsaw when they tried to break into her home.

Police believe the attempted break-in was related to drug crime, but that the wrong address was targeted.

The criminals ran off after being disturbed by the victim, who lives on Old Durham Road, in Gateshead.

She said the incident was particularly frightening, as when she disturbed the burglars she thought they were carrying a gun.

It happened at about 22:20 GMT on Tuesday.

The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "I opened the door and there were two lads on top of the wall.

"I thought they had a rifle, but it was a chainsaw or an axle grinder."

The burglars targeted a home on Old Durham Road in Gateshead

The victim said the police arrived within a few minutes and told her they believed the criminals were involved in drug crime, but had targeted the wrong address.

She added: "You would think they would find out which house they were attacking."

The power tools were used to cut through the door but the criminals were not able to get all the way through before they were disturbed.

Charlotte Pharoh, 25, who lives nearby, was at home when she heard "weird" scraping noises outside.

She said: "I looked out of the window and I saw three people running into three separate cars that then sped out of the street and down the main road.

"Twenty minutes later, the police were knocking on the door."

A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: "It was reported that unknown males attempted to force entry to the property through a rear door using power tools.

"However, they were interrupted by the resident of the property and fled the scene.

"No-one was injured in the incident, and inquiries remain ongoing."