Terrifying footage captures moment burglars use sledgehammer to smash into home

Dramatic CCTV footage of the moment three hooded burglars attempt to smash their way into a home with a sledgehammer and axe has been released by police.

The black and white video shows the group kicking and hammering at a house door in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, while a terrified woman can be heard screaming inside.

West Mercia Police shared the dramatic footage online after the trio of burglars were jailed for their roles in “brutal attacks” on homes.

Darius Woodstock, 19, of Wallace Road in Bilston, was sentenced to seven years after he pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated burglary.

Antony Everitt, 41, of Achilles Close in Walsall, was sentenced to 10 years and six months after he pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary.

A 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced to six years after pleading guilty to two counts of aggravated burglary.

Police said that on June 30 last year the two men and the teenager stole a car after breaking their way into a home on Victoria Road in Bridgnorth.

In the CCTV footage the burglars, with their faces covered, smash the house door’s windows and demand the frightened woman inside hands over the keys.

Police said the group then drove the stolen car in convoy with a second vehicle to Penley Gardens in Wombourne, South Staffordshire, where they broke into another home and stole keys before taking the car.

During the break-in they threatened a resident with a machete, but he was left uninjured by the incident, police said.

Officers arrested the two men in Wolverhampton within half an hour of the burglaries and made a third arrest shortly afterwards.

An investigation into the crimes was lead by West Mercia Police’s CID in Shropshire.

Detective chief inspector Mike Nally said: “These were brutal attacks on the victims’ homes.

“I hope these sentences send a clear message to those who think they can commit such violent offences in our communities that we will do all we can to make sure they are apprehended and put before the courts.”

He added: “We’re committed to protecting our communities from those who cause the most harm, and together with our partner agencies, we will do all we can to reduce the impact of burglary and vehicle thefts across the county.

“Making it difficult for thieves is paramount and we would always urge people to be vigilant.”