AN ARMED gang in skeleton masks smashed its way into a house and attacked a man as his horrified family looked on.

It is understood the 26-year-old victim was stabbed in the late-night assault and was taken from his Northallerton home by ambulance to The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, for treatment.

Neighbours said five masked men wielding a machete, bats and a sledge hammer walked down Vicars Croft, near Bullamoor Road, at about 11pm on Tuesday - minutes before stopping outside a property at the Northallerton Forum arena end of the terraced street.

While shouting, the gang battered down the front door and front windows and entered the front room, where the man is thought to have been attacked.

It is believed at least three people were inside and the gang ran off towards Bullamoor Road, before leaving the area in a car.

This afternoon North Yorkshire Police moved to clarify earlier reports in The Northern Echo that the men were seen wearing clown masks - describing this as "both inaccurate and misleading".

It is understood they were in fact 'grinning' skeleton masks covering up the lower part of the face and nose - and were mistaken for clown masks by an eyewitness.

A force spokesman said: "Detectives investigating this incident are not linking it to the 'costume craze' of dressing as clowns.

"As investigations are at an early stage, we are not currently in a position to clarify further details of the attack and enquiries are ongoing.

"In light of the misreporting of this incident, we would like to reassure members of the public that this was a targeted attack and detectives believe there is no risk to people in the wider community."

On Wednesday night, shards of glass lay outside the property, which remained boarded up.

The family whose home was attacked declined to comment, saying the incident was in the hands of the police, but added: "It was very scary."

Neighbours said the incident had been terrifying and detectives had carried out house-to-house enquiries. They said they had been reassured after seeing a number of police patrols in the area.

One neighbour said: "We were watching television getting ready to go to bed when all of a sudden there was this terrible commotion that seemed to last for a few minutes.

"As quickly as it started it went quiet again, but then police cars arrived on the scene.

"We get gangs of youths walking through here all the time on an evening, but it's very rare to get any trouble.

"One person was stabbed and taken to hospital, that's all I know."

Speaking earlier, Detective Sergeant Simon Hepburn said: “This was a frightening attack for the occupants of the house and has no doubt caused alarm among residents.

“I'd like to reassure local people that we believe this was an isolated and targeted incident.

"Nevertheless, we have increased patrols in the area while extensive police enquiries are ongoing to track down the suspects."

Former Mayor of Northallerton, Councillor John Forrest, said "I would urge drivers and householders to immediately report any incidents to the police."

  • Anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area at 11pm on Tuesday should call police on 101, email Simon.Hepburn@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk, or call Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.