Exclusive: Sheffield family considers installing bars on windows to turn home into ‘prison’ after masked raiders strike
Exclusive: Sheffield family considers installing bars on windows to turn home into ‘prison’ after masked raiders strike.
Following a disguised raid on their home, a Sheffield family is considering putting window bars.
Nathan and Phoebe Kirby’s family home in Sheffield’s Basegreen neighbourhood was targeted by a group of masked robbers while they were away taking their children to childcare and their dog to the groomer.
Intruders broke through a window in broad daylight and stole cherished valuables.
“As we drove off, we saw someone on a bike with a mask,” Phoebe told The Star.
CCTV footage published with The Star shows two people wearing masks arrive at the house on an electric bike, with Nathan and Phoebe claiming another was waiting around the corner.
It then shows them clambering over the garden fence and attempting to open the rear door of the property.
The robbers then shattered a window and climbed inside, seizing valuables.
“They’ve taken quite a lot of sentimental jewellery from passed away relatives,” Nathan said.
“It’s jewellery that has been passed down through generations.”
A neighbour noticed what was going on and approached the family’s house.
Nathan and Phoebe believe this scared the crooks away, as CCTV footage shows the group fleeing down the street.
South Yorkshire Police were summoned at 3 p.m., and police were said to conduct door-to-door enquiries.
However, Nathan and Pheobe have expressed concerns about the police investigation, claiming that CSI originally refused to visit since footage showed the perpetrators wearing gloves, and that they only attended after the couple discovered footprints and clothes fibres.
They further say that police officers informed them that on the day of the raid, they saw several people riding an e-bike carrying a pillowcase but were unable to stop them.
According to the Star, patrolling officers noticed masked people riding e-bikes in the vicinity but had no reason or permission to stop them because they hadn’t received any reports of a crime. They had not been located by the time a report was issued and searches commenced.
“The police saw the suspects on the day of the crime and didn’t try to stop them,” Nathan said.
The pair praised neighbours for their assistance, but stated that the perpetrators’ ‘brazenness’ reflects how little enforcement is in place.
The family just received a ‘defend your home’ kit from the police, which has only added to their frustration’s
“The sheer audacity of it,” Nathan replied.
“They literally smashed through in broad daylight – this isn’t a ‘protect yourself better’ situation.”
However, the family has stated that they intend to install bars on their windows, claiming that they feel forced to transform their own home into a ‘prison’.
“We are now considering getting bars on the windows – the irony that we will secure the home as if a prison, since they (the burglars) likely won’t see the inside of one,” Nathan replied.
Nathan and Phoebe have shared details about the raid on Facebook in the hopes of finally recovering their stuff.
South Yorkshire Police says it is still investigating and examining CCTV evidence. The force is also requesting that anyone with relevant information contact them.
A police spokesperson stated: “At 3.06pm on Thursday, April 2, we got complaints of a burglary at a residence.
“It is reported that two males broke into a house and grabbed jewellery before fleeing towards White Lane.
“Officers responded and initiated an investigation. House to house enquiries have been conducted, and authorities are reviewing CCTV footage from the area.
“CSI also attended and examined the site.
“Officers are in contact with the victim and enquiries are ongoing.”
Anyone with information should call 101, mentioning incident 584 from April 2, 2026.
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