A mum was taken to hospital after “men carrying clipboards” knocked at her door – and then attacked her in front of her two children.
One of the thugs, who were both wielding knives, grabbed the woman in her 40s around the neck, and dragged her back into the property, with the other yob following them on Friday evening.
The men then searched the pockets of the occupants’ two children, a teenage girl and a seven-year-old boy, as well as the mum’s, taking two mobile phones and smashing them. The offenders then directed the victims upstairs and locked them in the bathroom while they searched the property in Banbury, Oxfordshire, before leaving.
Police then arrived to release the victims from the bathroom. Nothing was stolen as the mobile phones were left at the address. The woman received hospital treatment for a minor neck injury but has since been discharged.
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Investigating officer Detective Constable Daniel Smith, of Thames Valley Police’s priority crime team , said: “I understand this may be concerning for the community but there is nothing to suggest there is any wider threat to the public.”
The offenders are described as wearing high-vis jackets, had their faces covered and carrying clipboards. They struck between 7.45pm and 8.45pm on Friday, Thames Valley Police added.
Det Cons Smith added: “Fortunately, the only injury was a minor neck injury for the female victim but this was obviously an extremely distressing incident for them all. I am appealing for anyone who may have witnessed this aggravated burglary or has information about it to please get in touch.
“Also, if you have any CCTV footage or any dash-cam footage if you were in the area around the time, I’d also ask that you check any recordings in case it has captured something that could assist our investigation. You can send them to me directly via this dedicated online portal.
“You can make a report by calling 101 or via our website, quoting reference number 43250004299. Alternatively, you can report information anonymously to the independent charity, Crimestoppers, by calling 0800 555 111 or via its website.”