A PREGNANT woman and her partner were subjected to a terrifying raid by men armed with a hammer and an airgun in a suspected case of mistaken identity.

Three men forced their way into a property in Palmeira Avenue, Southend, at about 10pm on March 27, after initially being denied entry at the door.

They fired a shot into the ceiling and smashed a wall with the hammer as they demanded to speak to a man.

However, it is believed they were looking for a previous resident. The pregnant woman and the man, both in their 20s, were left badly shaken but uninjured.

Insp Bill Potter, of Southend police, said the incident was “scary” and police are continuing the hunt for the attackers.

He said: “A couple of people have burst into the house. One with an airgun and the other with a hammer.

“They have caused a bit of damage to a wall. It looks like it potentially related to a previous occupier.

“The people went there asking for a particular person. They probably weren’t happy with the explanation which is why they have then entered the house and done what they have done.

“It is rented accommodation so people come and go at regular times.”

Mr Potter said police are carrying out house-to-house enquiries and may be able to issue an e-fit of the suspects in due course.

He said: “It will have been very distressing for the residents, who wouldn’t have known who had been in the flat.

“It looks very much like they were looking for a particular person who lived there previously. We are looking at an e-fit and the investigation is continuing.

“We are working with the family and neighbours to arrest these people as soon as we can.”

An Essex Police spokesman said nothing was taken during the raid.

He said: “Police are investigating an aggravated burglary at an address in Palmeira Avenue, Southend which happened at around 10pm on March 27.

“Three men forced their way into a property armed with a hammer.

“One of the men has engaged in a verbal altercation with the victim, a man in his 20s.

“One of the men hit a wall with the hammer while another fired what is believed to be an air gun at the ceiling. The group then all made off. No-one was injured.”

Anyone with information is should contact Essex Police on 101 or Det Con Neil Utley at Southend CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.