HAMMER-wielding car thieves have struck again in Ramsbottom, getting into a house and demanding the keys to a vehicle.

But detectives say they are keeping an open mind as to whether the latest incident was carried out by the same gang involved in a similar car theft less than a mile away in Smithills Hall Close six days earlier.

Shortly before 9.30pm on Monday, Mr Robert Goslin (31) was watching television at home in Regent Street when two masked men entered the house through the unlocked front door.

They threatened Mr Goslin and a friend with the hammer and demanded the keys to his £15,000 Audi AS.

Mr Goslin has declined to comment on the incident.

Detective Inspector Bill Beddows of Bury CID said: "In both incidents, the offenders wore balaclava masks and used hammers to intimidate. The similarities cannot be ignored although we are keeping an open mind about the possibility that one team of criminals is targeting car owners in the Ramsbottom area."

On Wednesday night of last week, Mr Dean McDonough, his wife, Clodagh, and their two young children were put through a terrifying ordeal at home in Smithills Hall Close. A knock on the door was followed by a gang member smashing his way through a glass door panel with a claw hammer and threatening the family. The gang fled in Mr McDonough's Saab 93 Aerodeck worth £24,000.

A TEENAGER had his Fiat Stilo stolen by carjackers in Bury.

The 18-year-old was driving along Gigg Lane at 11.40pm last Friday when another car blocked his path, forcing him to stop. Two men wearing dark clothing got out of the car, forced the driver from the Fiat and took the vehicle.

The Fiat, registration ML04 HFB, is still missing.

Anyone with information about either incident is asked to contact Bury CID on 0161 856 8150 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.