AN asylum-seeker was robbed at knifepoint in his Radcliffe home just three days after moving there.

Now, detectives are hunting the raider who put the 54-year-old Iraqi man through what one officer has described as "a terrifying ordeal".

The burglary happened at the victim's home in Church Street at 3.30am on Friday (June 13) when he was awoken and confronted by a man who threatened him with a knife and demanded cash.

After taking a small amount of money, the intruder then went downstairs where he joined two accomplices, a woman and a boy aged about 12.

Police believe the thief gained access to the house via a ground floor window before letting the other two in through the front door.

Detective Inspector Simon Collier from Whitefield CID said: "This is an unusual incident for a number of reasons. It may well have been an opportunist burglary, but for these three people to be out together at 3am is uncommon.

"There was also a brief conversation between the burglar and the victim, which suggests the offender knew of the victim. The victim only moved to Radcliffe on Tuesday, and for the offenders to have known his background, it is likely they are local."

He added: "This man has had close members of his family killed under the regime of Saddam Hussein and has come to Britain to seek refuge, only to undergo what must have been a terrifying ordeal.

"This incident has shocked both him and his neighbours and I would appeal to anyone who has information to contact the police."

The first offender is described as white, aged between 17 and 20, around 5ft 10in, of slim build with a shaved head. The woman was also aged between 17 and 20, around 5ft 5in and of slim build. The youth was also white and around 5ft 4in. Anyone with information is asked to contact Whitefield CID on 0161 856 8243 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.