A BRAVE resident punched a burglar then chased him off as he tried to steal a television from his home.

The burglary in Greenfold Road, Farnworth, was one of four which took place yesterday between 3am and 5am in the area. 

The fearless resident, who asked not to be named, said: “I punched him in the face. 

“My first instinct was to chase them. I ran at them, I screamed at them.”

The burglars were disturbed part way through their raid on the property at about 3.15am.

They had forced open the kitchen window at the back of the semi-detached property and removed the TV from its stand in the lounge.

The resident had been woken by a persistent banging noise and from the top of the stairs could see a light downstairs. 

When he investigated he discovered the man in his lounge, who he hit, and saw him flee the property with another man through the back garden. 

The pair had covered their faces and were dressed all in black with white trainers. 

The resident believed his home had been marked by the burglars to come back to later, showing The Bolton News a white chalk mark drawn on the bricks by his front door. 

The thieves got away with £15 in cash, two bank cards and a Samsung Galaxy Grand Note smartphone worth around £200. 

As well as responding to this incident police officers were called to three more burglaries in Over Hulton, which police said were ‘likely to be linked’. 

Officers from Greater Manchester Police’s Bolton Central team were called out to two burglaries in Salford Road and another on Newbrook Road. 

During the first of the burglaries in Salford Road the offenders were also disturbed said police officers. 

Tweeting at 5.06am yesterday the Bolton Central team said: “Officers are now on scene at a house burglary on Newbrook Road, Over Hulton. 

“This is the third report of burglary in this area in the last hour.”
Officers were helped in their search for the offenders by the National Police Air Service Barton team using the police helicopter.

The police team for Bolton South district are also involved in the investigation.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “Any members of the public who might have CCTV that could assist in the investigations please phone 101 quoting the reference number 288 13/5/19 . 

“We have plain clothes officers out on duty this evening, therefore if you do see any one suspicious in your area, please call us.”

Contact police on 101 or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.