Masked men were armed with baton and axe

Three masked men armed with a baton and an axe entered a house in Glebe Avenue in Coleraine.

Two females were in the house at the time but no one was physically injured.

It is understood the men, who were dressed in camouflage type jackets and wearing balaclavas, made off in a small dark coloured car. A motive for the incident is still under investigation.

Condemning the incident, Mr Dallat called on the community to help police catch the ‘recycled’ bandits.

He said: “No community should have to live under the threat of ‘no goods’ who have nothing to offer to the community and only help to stigmatise good people with their behaviour.

“Two women were badly shaken by this event and will undoubtedly experience flashbacks for a considerable time to come.

“In the past Coleraine had to put up with men with masks for far too long. Times have moved on and anyone believing Balaclava rule is OK are living in a past which served no-one and failed everyone.

Anyone who was in the area between 10pm and 11pm and saw anything suspicious is asked to contact CID at Coleraine on 0845 600 8000.

Alternatively information can be passed on anonymously through the ‘Crimestoppers’ charity on freephone 0800 555 111.