A MOTHER whose house was targeted by three thugs wielding pickaxe handles has spoken of her fear and her children's fear of further attacks.

The Herald reported on Friday how the house in Kiln Close, Barne Barton, had been attacked on January 18, after the gang had initially struck just before midnight at one house, before realising their main target was next door.

They smashed three windows with their weapons before fleeing the scene in a taxi.

Despite the terrifying attack, they returned yet again on January 30 to repeat their assault.

Now the mum of two has urged people to come forward and name names after seeing the effect it has had on her children.

"On the first night my 10-year-old daughter was in her bedroom at the front of the house when she heard the noise," she said. "She looked out and saw these three men – saw them run forward and start smashing at the window.

"She witnessed it all and came screaming into our room, thinking they were coming to get her.

"My five-year-old son was in the next room and heard the smashing. We've tried to explain it away as something else to him, but my daughter's still terrified they'll come back again. What they've put my children through makes me so angry," she said. "I understand names have been given to the police, and I know some of my neighbours know who did it because they saw them run off."

The mother, who asked not to be named, said she hoped people would now come forward with more information.

Investigators say staff at taxi firms in the area have been questioned, while neighbourhood officers have carried out house-to-house inquiries.

"A combined investigation by neighbourhood and CID teams is underway in Kiln Close and the surrounding areas and has identified that this may be a neighbourhood dispute which has escalated and has unfortunately drawn in an innocent third party," said Insp Marcus Laine, police patrol inspector for the city's West Sector.

"While names have been provided to police it has been done so via a third party which is inadmissible in a court, and they are unsubstantiated at this time.

"Police would like to reassure residents of the area that this is an isolated incident and the investigation is ongoing.

"If you have any information or any concerns you can contact the neighbourhood team on the non-emergency 08452 777444 number."

Alternatively, witnesses can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. The crime reference number for the incident is ED/10/371.