Gang smashes lorry into Gypsy home

A family of eleven Travellers have had a lucky escape after two stolen lorries crashed into their caravan home while they were sleeping.

The perpetrators targeted two stationary caravans on the 19th of January  in the Coven Heath area, near Wolverhampton, shortly before 5.30am while nine children and their parents slept.

The drivers caused significant damage to the site, leaving gaping holes in both caravan walls and destroying the site's entrance. Following the attack, the gang set fire to the lorries before fleeing the scene in a third vehicle.

Occupant Mr Patrick Dunne has been legally housed on the 3.5-acre site for 10 years and has five girls and four boys aged from two to 14.

He said: "This is attempted murder. We are fortunate to get away with our lives but I fear it was just a warning. I was woken by a crash and the screams of three of my daughters. I got the kids to another bedroom and then saw the truck careering into the day house. Next it drove back out through the wall and I saw four men throwing something into the cabs which then burst into flames.

A Staffordshire Police spokeswoman said that nobody was hurt and that the incident is being treated very seriously.

Anyone with information should call 0300 123 4455 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. The police incident number is 76.