Woman 'traumatised' after Renfrewshire home ransacked by balaclava-wearing robbers

A woman has been left “traumatised” after her house was ransacked by a pair of balaclava-wearing robbers in the early afternoon.

The 69-year-old was in her home on Glamis Avenue, in the Elderslie area of Renfrewshire, when two men broke in at around 1.15pm on Friday.

They held her there during the “horrendous ordeal” which saw them steal property worth thousands of pounds.

The woman was not injured but police said she had been left “devastated and traumatised”.

One of the men is described as wearing a balaclava covering his whole face, a grey baseball or skip cap , wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and a top.

He was wearing grey and red gloves, similar to gardening gloves and was tall and well-built or stocky.

The second man was smaller and thinner and also wearing a balaclava and a black baseball cap. He was wearing dark clothing and a pair of dark gloves.

Police are also keen to hear from anyone that say any suspicious vehicles, particularly a dark blue 4×4.

Police Scotland said its officers would be carrying out “focused and highly visible patrols” in the area in the coming days following the incident.

Detective sergeant Jason Buxton said: “This was a horrendous ordeal on a woman who was in her own home and robbed of her personal belongings and property.

“She has been left devastated and traumatised as a result of this incident.”

“We’re appealing for anyone who was in the area and saw anything suspicious, or has any information, in particular any suspicious vehicles a dark blue possibly 4×4 vehicle which may have been captured on CCTV or dashcam footage to please come forward.

“You can call police on 101, quoting incident 1699 of September 30, 2022. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”

Chief inspector Paul Cameron said: “We are aware of the impact an incident like this can have in the community and we will be carrying out focused and highly visible patrols in the area in the coming days.

“I would urge anyone with concerns to speak to one of our officers or to call 101.”