Raiders beat man in his home with wooden planks (From Daily Echo)

Raiders attack man in his Southampton home with wooden planks in Denzil Avenue

4:28pm Wednesday 2nd January 2013 in Crime By Jon Reeve, Education Reporter

THREE masked raiders forced their way into a Southampton flat and savagely attacked a man with wooden planks.

Police believe the attack, which left the 27-year-old victim needing hospital treatment for two broken bones in his hand and head injuries, was unprovoked.

The man was eating a meal in his home in Denzil Avenue, Bevois Valley, between 7pm and 8pm on New Year's Day when the three raiders wearing balaclavas forced their way in and carried out the assault.

He was taken to Southampton General Hospital afterwards for treatment, including stitches in the head wounds.

Detective Constable Dal Andrews said: “This appears to be an unprovoked assault.

“We are keen to speak to anyone who heard or saw the incident. In particular, we need to head from anyone who saw the persons described fleeing from a multi-occupancy address in the area of Denzil Avenue and Onslow Road, Southampton.”

Two of the offenders were seen by witnesses.

The first is described as white, aged in his late twenties or early thirties, stocky and 5ft 8ins tall. He had short, shaved hair and wore a waist-length camouflage jacket over a cream-coloured top.

The second man also is white and had a shaved head. He is slim, 5ft 10-11ins tall and in his late thirties. He wore a blue tracksuit top, blue jeans and white trainers.

Anyone with information should call DC Andrews at Shirley CID on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.