Police have appealed to the public to help catch hooded thugs who carried out brick attacks on a family home - forcing a worried father to move his children out for their own safety.
Al Rasul, 42, who lost his wife Mitua, 34, to breast cancer last year, told the Manchester Evening News how his home in Clayton was first attacked first on November 21 and then again on Christmas Eve, when a missile narrowly missed his nine-year-old son.
Now a senior detective has appealed to the public to help bring the perpetrators to justice.
CCTV previously published by the M.E.N. shows two hooded youths arriving outside the house on Peacehaven Avenue on Christmas Eve. One of the brazen thugs is seen walking into the yard before hurling a missile at a window.
The pair are seen running off. Al is seen running out of his home seconds later.
Since the second attack, Ali has moved his son, Al Naeem, nine, and daughter, Alina, 14, to live with their grandparents as they are terrified the culprits will return. The first attack was at about 4.30pm on November 21 when a brick was thrown through a ground floor window.
Al said: "The first time my son was making himself some food when the brick came in missing him by a few inches. There was glass everywhere. He called me and was crying on the phone and I came home straight away.
"The second time was Christmas Eve at about 4.40pm. That time my son and I were in. He knew exactly what it was as it made the same sound. I ran out barefooted after them.
"Now my kids are terrified. I have moved them to their grandparents for the rest of the holiday period. They will come back to go back to school, and it will give me time to increase the security on the house.
"I have lived in Clayton for ten years and I have never had any issues with anyone, I am not sure why this is happening."
As well as his home being attacked, Al says two other homes within a few hundred yards have also had windows smashed in the last few months. Al said: "The first time the window went in I had to spend £150 replacing it. The second time it was another £150 plus £390 to get it boarded up on Christmas Eve.
"I called GMP after the November attack and they said they would send someone round but in the end they just called. They said they would send someone after the Christmas Eve attack but I am still waiting."
A spokeswoman for GMP said the force was aware of both 'disturbances', adding that an investigation was underway. No suspects have yet been arrested.
Detective Superintendent Chris Downey, of GMP's City of Manchester division, said: "I urge anyone who may have been in the area that night to come forward. No matter how small you think the information may be, it could prove vital to the investigation and identify the suspects.
"Officers are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have footage, including dashcam, mobile phone or CCTV/ doorbell footage from this area in the moments leading up to and after this incident happened.
"Local communities are an integral resource in helping us identify and deal with anti-social behaviour, so I would like to take this time to encourage anyone who is experiencing it to please report it. By reporting an incident or any concerns, you are helping to make your community a better place for everyone."
Anyone with information about the attacks are urged to call police on 101 quoting log 645 of 24/12/22. Information can also be reported online or by using the LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk or by calling 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
If you are a victim of anti-social behaviour or other types of crime, you can access support www.gmvictims.org.uk
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