Horror as car 'deliberately' smashes into house while three children slept inside

Three children were sleeping inside when the white Toyota Hilux was deliberately driven into the house in Clock Face, St Helens, with the car found torched nearby a short time later

Police have launched an urgent investigation in Merseyside after a car 'deliberately' smashed into a home while three children were sleeping inside.

Officers scrambled to the house in Clock Face, St Helens at around 12.45am on Saturday following reports it had been hit by a white Toyota Hilux. No injuries were reported to the four people inside, who were all in bed at the time of the incident, though the property itself suffered "significant damage" and disruption to the power supply.

The vehicle was found torched nearby a short time later after the occupants had fled the scene. Police said it had been deliberately set on fire. Eyewitness pictures showed extensive damage to the front of the house, including the door left bent and off its hinges. Bricks are also seen scattered across the garden and inside the house.

A force spokesperson said detectives are "determined to find those responsible to bring them to justice", with forensic examinations and CCTV footage enquiries now taking place in the area. Local residents have been urged to come forward if they have any information.

Merseyside Police Inspector Ray Mavrakakis said: “Fortunately the occupants of the house, who were in bed at the time of the incident, were not injured but they are extremely traumatised. The deliberate and reckless actions of these individuals has also caused significant damage to the property and damaged power supplies to the property.

"After reversing in to the house the offenders drove the car a short distance before getting out and deliberately setting fire to it. We believe there were three people involved in this attack. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service attended at both scenes and extinguished the car fire.

“We believe this to be a targeted attack on the address and are determined to find those responsible so they can be brought to justice. We have made extensive enquiries as part of our ongoing investigation, have carried out forensic examinations and we carrying out an extensive review of CCTV footage in the area.

“I would like to appeal to anyone in the area who has CCTV or video doorbells to review their footage as they could have vital information which would help our investigation. If you do have information which could help us please call the independent and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 0038 of 24 February or crime reference number 24000199957."