THIS is the man police are hunting in connection with a knife attack on his terrified wife.

And today officers searching for Aledwyn Jones revealed that an alarm system fitted in the family home following a previous assault may have saved the victim's life.

A man forced his way into the house in Richmond Terrace, Darwen, and threatened Anna Jones with a knife in front of her three young children at 3am on Thursday, two weeks after a similar attack by the same man.

After the first incident, police fitted the house with an alarm system which is linked directly to officers and activated by a pendant carried by the house occupant.

Mrs Jones was able to set this off and the man fled as police arrived at the address.

The man, also known as David Henry Husband, 43, is white, 5ft 7ins, slim, with shaved ginger hair and brown eyes. He has extensive tattoos and may be driving a blue Ford Granada with registration number D444 TFR.

Mrs Jones and the three children have been taken to a police safe house.

Police launched a search, including scrambling the force helicopter which scoured the area, but without success. They also returned to the area to carry out a detailed search.

Police emphasised that Mr Jones was not thought to be a danger to the public but that he should not be approached. Mr and Mrs Jones moved to Richmond Terrace from Oswaldtwistle in March and were in dispute with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council last month over schooling for their children. Det Sgt Neil Hunter said a risk assessment had been carried out on Mrs Jones' safety before the attack. He added: "The option of moving her was considered but not thought to be feasible.

"This alarm system has proved sufficient on this occasion as it was the police arrival that stopped this man and frightened him off. Officers arrived literally within seconds. "It doesn't bear thinking about what might have happened -- this equipment and police response has potentially saved this women's life." Last month the couple were considering legal action after claiming that the council would not pay for transport for their children to their special school.

At that time Mr Jones told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: "At the end of the day it all comes down to money but my children are worth more than that. It is all about their happiness."

Anybody with information should call Blackburn Police on 01254 51212, Darwen incident room on 01254 353830 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.