Police chainsawing door is a bit much, says grandfather
POLICE used a chainsaw to cut through a bemused grandfather’s front door in a drugs raid that he described as “heavyhanded”.
Masked officers went to the property of Terry Harrison, 67, on Tuesday after being tipped off that there were illegal substances inside. Officers did not recover any during the search.
The grandfather, from Ronkswood, Worcester, said he was “angry” after two motorbikes were seized, and claimed his seven pet dogs were put in harm’s way. “It’s just me living here and my seven dogs. I think it’s heavy-handed.
“They have caused a lot of damage. When they smashed the doors I was worried about my dogs getting out. I was worried about them getting hurt by the chainsaw. The first thing I said when I got home was ‘where’s my dogs? Are any of them hurt?’ I’m glad my grandkids weren’t in.”
West Mercia Police filmed the 7.50am raid after receiving a tip-off and getting a warrant to search the house. At least eight officers can be seen as an officer wearing body armour and a helmet saws through the white plastic door.
Mr Harrison, a retired lorry driver, said the officers damaged two front doors, three shed doors, his caravan and Playstation 4 games stored by the door.
The pensioner, who has angina and type two diabetes, said it was the third time he has been raided and he believes he is being targeted by a nuisance caller “with a grudge”. A spokesman for West Mercia Police said: “All warrants, such as the one carried out this morning, must be granted by a magistrate at court based on sufficient evidence.”