Police hunt armed farm robbers

Police are hunting armed raiders who shot a farmer in the leg during a robbery at his home.

A 55-year-old man, named locally as William Ward-Jackson, was injured by a stray shot after two armed men burst into his home while he was alone.

North Wales Police said one of the attackers’ weapons was fired during the robbery and hit Mr Ward-Jackson in the leg.
 
He was taken to hospital for surgery, although his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.
The incident happened a mile from the village of Rhydyclafdy, near Pwllheli in Gwynedd, between 7pm and 8.45pm on Saturday (17 December).

The two offenders escaped in a getaway vehicle, which was thought to have been driven by a third person. The vehicle was later found abandoned.

Two weapons belonging to the owner were stolen during the raid, along with a number of old £50 notes, which may not be legal tender, and a small diamond-shaped brooch.

Chief Inspector Lestyn Davies from North Wales Police said: “We are following up a number of positive lines of inquiry.”

Councillor Anwen Jane Davies said she was “extremely shocked” by the incident.

“I know that he is such a nice gentleman, and keeps himself to himself,” she said.

“It is a terrible feeling that it happened here, out in the countryside in a lovely, tight-knit community. It’s very quiet and we’re all shocked by this.

“It is a great pity, but I am seeing this all the time.”

Detectives are already probing a spate of more than 25 burglaries in towns and villages close to the A55 dual carriageway in North Wales.

The crime bears similarities to an armed raid on a farming couple’s home in Leicestershire, which was the subject of an appeal on Crimewatch on Thursday (15 December). However, police are not linking the crimes.

You can report a crime or look at crime in your area on our Crime Register