Home near Southampton targeted in ball bearing attack

Isobel and Dave Barnard were fast asleep when a ball bearing shattered their window sending glass flying across their room.

• 'They need to dig it up': Man left angry by flooding outside flat

Seconds later, when Isobel pulled back the curtains to see what was going on, a second shot went flying past her head - missing her by just inches.

It then “ricocheted” against a wall - leaving a dent - and landed in their bathroom.

Isobel and Dave say they don't feel safe.

Following the ordeal in Calmore Road, Totton, the 71-year-old could not stop shaking.

She said: “There was an almighty bang and glass came in across the floor.

“I thought what’s happened and started to pull the curtain back and that is when the second shot came.”

The couple has since reviewed CCTV footage, which shows a car parked outside their home for around two minutes at around 3.40am on Thursday, June 11.

• Residents demand speed limit for 'absolutely deadly rat run'

After the two shots were fired, the vehicle they believe to have been a silver Volkswagen Passat, sped off towards Michigan Way.

Dave has branded the culprits as cowards

Isobel added: “There is nobody who we have had an argument with. We just do not know why [it happened]. Perhaps it was mistaken identity, and they got the wrong number.

“I do not feel very safe.

“It’s almost as if they’re trying to frighten us. It’s a bit sinister.

The ball bearings have since been handed over to police

“We were lucky, but the next person might not be so lucky.

“It could have been a different outcome.”

Meanwhile, Dave, 74, branded the culprits as cowards.

The former oil refinery worker said that the large ball bearings measured 5/8 inches.

He added: “What was the point of it? What have we done to you for you to do this to us?”

Damage to the bedroom window.

Dave described hearing a whirring noise similar to an air compressor and believes the “bullets” were shot using a special device.

The two have lived at the address for 27-years, have three children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

They now want to see a police investigate the shocking incident and for witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with any information is urged to call 101 quoting reference number 44210227801.