Cilla's son is attacked

One of Cilla Black’s sons has been attacked with a crowbar by three masked raiders at her family home.

The men, wearing balaclavas, knocked on the door of the Blind Date presenter’s £2million home in Denham, Buckinghamshire, shortly before midnight on Saturday.

Black’s son told police that as he answered the door to the burglars one of the men struck out with a crowbar and they forced their way in.

They then held him down while they searched the house.

The gang fled after 15 minutes and are thought to have escaped across a private golf course. It is not yet known what has been stolen from the house.

A family spokesman said the ordeal had been “frightening” but said it was too early to talk about it. He would not confirm which of the former pop star’s three sons — Robert, 33, Ben, 29, or Jack, 22 — was attacked.

Police said the victim was “extremely shaken” but did not need to be taken to hospital.

Officers used a helicopter and sniffer dogs in an attempt to track down the gang but called off the search several hours later.

Detectives are investigating how the burglars got into the property, which is protected by electronicallyoperated gates, motion-sensitive security lights and CCTV cameras.

They are refusing to confirm which of the two properties on the estate was targeted. Black is thought to have been abroad at the time.

A police source said: “This is a very strange incident. The victim appears to have been taken by surprise.

“Although violence was used, it was clearly not enough to put him in hospital.

“We understand he may have been expecting some friends at the door which is why he was caught off his guard.

“We will be looking at any other break-ins in the area to see if there is a pattern of burglars targeting the wealthy.”

The source added: “At the moment, however, we are not sure if anything was stolen. The victim seems to have been very lucky.”

As one of Britain’s most highlypaid entertainers, Black is estimated to have a personal fortune of £15million.

Neighbours in the quiet village claimed to have heard nothing until the police helicopter flew above the area in the early hours of yesterday.

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: “Police were called following a report of aggravated burglary.

“Three men came to the door of the property and forced their way past a male who was resident in the house. They hit the man with what is believed to have been a crowbar and they restrained him.

“The three offenders left the property 15 minutes later. The police mounted a search of the area — the force helicopter was used, as were members of the dog
section. The offenders have not yet been located.”

Black owns two other properties: a £1.5 million penthouse in London and a £400,000 apartment in Barbados.

This is not the first time she has been targeted by burglars. Five years ago she fell victim to the “Who’s Who” raiders, who preyed on and terrorised wealthy celebrities.

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