Stockport girl, 11, uses curtain pole to scare off thieves Published duration 7 June 2012

Armed thieves who targeted a family home in Greater Manchester fled after an 11-year-old girl tried to hit them with a curtain pole, police said.

Three men in balaclavas broke into the home in Carnforth Road, Heaton Chapel on Wednesday and demanded valuables.

The girl's father, 43, had a gun held to his head and his wife was threatened with a brick in their bedroom.

The couple's daughter, who was woken by the disturbance, ran into the room with the pole and attempted to hit the men.

A Greater Manchester police spokesman said the men then ran out of the back of the house, escaping with eight gold bracelets.

Police have appealed for witnesses to the robbery, which happened at 23:20 BST.

Det Con Matthew Whittaker, of Stockport CID, said police believe the girl's actions "confused and startled" the men, which caused them to leave.

He said: "Her actions were very brave, and at the same time it's very lucky she didn't come to any harm.