Stockport girl, 11, uses curtain pole to scare off thieves

Armed thieves who targeted a family home in Greater Manchester fled after an 11-year-old girl tried to hit them with a curtain pole, police said.

Three men in balaclavas broke into the home in Carnforth Road, Heaton Chapel on Wednesday and demanded valuables.

The girl's father, 43, had a gun held to his head and his wife was threatened with a brick in their bedroom.

The couple's daughter, who was woken by the disturbance, ran into the room with the pole and attempted to hit the men.

The men then ran out of the back of the house, a police spokesman said.

Police have appealed for witnesses to the robbery, which happened at 23:20 BST.

Det Con Matthew Whittaker, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "Although no-one was injured, this incident has had a profound effect on the victims as they were terrified in their own home.

"I'd urge anyone who may have seen these offenders hanging round before the attack, or running away, to contact us."