A MAN WAS injured defending his grandmother during a ‘distraction’ burglary in Belfast this weekend.

The PSNI said that police are appealing for information following the incident, which took place at a house in the Lower Shankill area of North Belfast on Friday, 21 March.

At approximately 2.45pm that day, a man called at the home of an elderly woman in Hopewell Crescent. He asked to enter the house in order to check the water supply.

Allowed in

The man was allowed into the property. While he kept the woman talking in the kitchen, a second man entered through the front door.

However, this second male was surprised by the woman’s grandson and made off out the front door. There was a short scuffle between the first man and the grandson, and the man left, chased by the grandson.

It’s believed the would-be burglars then got into a blue Renault Clio.

Shaken

Police said the elderly woman was left “shaken but uninjured”, while her grandson sustained minor injuries in the scuffle.

Both intruders are described as being around 6ft in height, in their early 20s, and of a thin build.

At least one of them spoke with an Irish accent.

Detectives want to hear from anyone with information and can be contacted at Tennent Street CID on 0845 600 8000.

Area Commander Chief Inspector Robert Singleton urged householders to be vigilant when dealing with unexpected callers to the home.