A father was knocked unconscious in an ‘unprovoked attack’ on him and his son in Brunel Road, Luton.

The 49-year-old and 23-year-old were walking along Brunel Road at about 12.30am on July 20 when a man got out of a silver BMW and punched the father.

When the son went to his father’s aid he was also assaulted by the man, who then got back in the BMW and drove from the scene.

Police Inspector Marie Gresswell, investigating, is keen to trace any witnesses.

She said: “This incident appears to be unprovoked and I would urge anyone who saw the assault to contact the police and help piece together exactly why these people where targeted.”

Anyone with information relating to this incident can contact Inspector Gresswell, in confidence, at Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively you can contact the independent crime fighting charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

The owners of Luton Airport have agreed to sell their stake to a consortium headed by another Spanish company.

TBI, a company 90 per cent owned by abertis and Aena Internacional, with a 10 per cent stake, has agreed to sell to a consortium formed by Aena (51 per cent) and AXA Private Equity (49 per cent).

The €502m (£433m) equity and debt transaction is subject to authorisation by European competition authorities, Luton Borough Council as the contracting authority, and the Spanish Board of Ministers.

Luton Airport, which has just celebrated its 75th anniversary, had been part of abertis’ portfolio since 2005, when the company and Aena Internacional purchased the British operator TBI. But albertis is now revising what it owns to “optimise the company’s asset base”.

The sale comes as a planning application to expand the operation remains to be decided.

A statement from Aena said Luton Airport which currently handles 9.6 million passengers each year has “high growth potential”.

The transport hub is the sixth airport in the Aena network, behind Gran Canaria and ahead of Alicante in size.

Aena said the transaction amount for it is £394.2million in equity and is part of its aim to increase its international presence in airports.

A car overturned on the A505 roundabout in Stopsley during rush hour last night (July 31).

Two vehicles were involved in the incident on Putteridge Road and emergency services were called to the scene at about 5.45pm.

The drivers had slight injuries but no one was trapped in the vehicles and no one was arrested at the scene.

An onlooker said the fireman were trying to turn the blue Vauxhall Corsa back over by tying a cable to a streetlight.

Traffic was extremely congested while the incident was dealt with.

Police remained at the scene until 8.25pm after questioning the drivers.

Two men have been charged with kerb crawling offences as part of a crackdown on prositution.

Adamyat Ali, 25, of Seymour Road ,will appear before Luton Magistrate’s Court on August 19.

Luigi Lorillo, 44, of London Road, will appear at the same court on August 28.

They are both charged with soliciting another person for the purpose of obtaining their sexual services as a prostitute in a street or public place, contrary to section 51a of the sexual offences act 2003.

These charges are part of the ongoing multi agency work within High Town, Luton, code-named Operation Turtle.

Chief Supt Mark Turner said: “Bedfordshire Police is working tirelessly with LBC and local residents to protect the communities of High Town and to assist vulnerable women to find exit routes from the sex trade. Our strategy seeks to take a strong line on those who frequent locations in order to buy sex. This will have a significant detrimental impact on all involved and cannot be tolerated.”

Since January this year 201 people have been dealt with by police, 151 of which for kerb crawling offences, and 71 have been arrested not only for kerb crawling but for illegal drug activity, outstanding warrants, being over the prescribed limit and burglary.

Anyone with information about anti social behaviour and sex related offences being committed within High Town can contact the dedicated officer for the area, PS Jason Cahill, in confidence, on 01582 394188, or Bedfordshire Police on 101, in confidence, or text information to 07786 200011.

Pupils “make good progress” and “enjoy coming to school” according to Barnfield Moorlands Free School’s first ever inspection report from Ofsted.

Staff and pupils at one of the country’s first ever Free Schools are celebrating a “good” rating following the inspection in July.

Principal Carrie Matthews said: “I am extremely pleased that the inspectors recognised the work we have done to raise standards and outcomes in our school and I was overwhelmingly impressed with our children and staff who made the visit such a successful one.

“We are continuously improving what we have to offer and I am confident that we can offer all children who attend Barnfield Moorlands many wonderful opportunities and an exceptional education.”

Teachers at Barnfield Moorlands, which opened in 2011, were praised for the significant improvement in teaching.

Inspectors said: “Pupils have made much faster progress because of consistently good teaching and additional support where needed.” Teaching in all subjects was noted as “good,” with inspectors commenting “Pupils attain well in English and mathematics and make good progress from their starting points”.

They said the Principal gives outstanding leadership to the school and is passionate about making sure that every pupil achieves their best.

Barnfield Director General Sir Peter Birkett said: “This is a very well deserved outcome for Barnfield Moorlands - they are a shining beacon of the success of the free school movement and I am incredibly proud of what the school has achieved under the leadership of Carrie Matthews. My congratulations go to the children, parents and staff without whom, this fantastic result would not have been possible. I believe the school has a very bright future ahead.”

A Luton man charged with the murder of a 24-year-old in Windsor at the weekend has been given a date for his plea hearing.

Jordan Lewis Doyle, of Kimberley Close, has been remanded in custody after appearing at Reading Crown Court yesterday for the murder of Seàn Noctor.

He was joined along with 21-year-old Benjamin Paul Brooks, of The Chilterns, Leighton Buzzard, who was arrested and charged at the same time as Mr Doyle.

The men will return to Reading Crown Court on October 21 for a plea hearing and a provisional trial date has been set for January 13.

Meanwhile Harry Turney, 20, of Orion Way, and 25-year-old Lahin Miah, of Windsor Road, both of Leighton Buzzard, have also been charged with the murder of Mr Noctor and are due to appear at Reading Crown Court today.

A spate of armed robberies by groups of men in Luton this week have prompted a warning from police for people to take extra precautions to remain safe.

Offenders wearing hooded tops and scarves over their faces threatened a 24-year-old man with a knife in Ashburnham Road on Monday.

He was forced to hand over his iPhone5, laptop, iPod and wallet before the robbers ran from the scene across Brantwood Park.

On the bridge in Roman Road on Wednesday, a 20-year-old man was threatened with a knife at around 8.30pm, but managed to run away without handing anything over.

Three offenders described as men with an Asian appearance between 16 and 19 years old were involved in this incident, which is believed to be connected to another incident on the bridge at 8.50pm.

A group of teenagers once again stopped a man, aged 18, demanded he hand over his BlackBerry and pushed him to the ground.

He suffered a small cut to his leg and the robbers left the scene with his mobile phone and fled towards Marsh Road.

At around 11pm, a group of men of Asian appearance stopped a man at the rear of the Sainsbury’s car park in Francis Street and took his iPhone 5.

The final incident happened shortly after as the victim was walking on the ramp of the underpass in Telford Way, at its junction with New Bedford Road. The 28 year old victim was surrounded by a group of men; all of Asian appearance and assaulted.

Three of the group took the victim’s iPhone 5 before leaving the scene towards the overpass.

Officers from South Bedfordshire Robbery Team, are keen to speak to anyone who saw any of these incidents or saw a large group of men in the Telford Way area on Wednesday night.

Call Beds Police on 101 with information.

Crime prevention advice from Beds Police:

Stay sensible - being under the influence of drink (or drugs) can significantly increase your chance of being a victim of robbery. Be sensible in how much you drink and look after your friends.

Stay aware - using headphones means you are unlikely to hear someone approaching you until it is too late.

Stay secure - don’t advertise your valuables; keep them in pocket or handbag out of sight. Check it is safe before you use your phone. Make sure your phone and other valuables are security marked and registered on www.immobilise.com. Also think about downloading a tracker app to help the police trace your phone if it is lost or stolen.

Stay calm – always report the offence immediately to the police. Try to remember what the offender looks like and was wearing, with a good description and your quick action officers will have a good chance of catching the offender.

Stay safe - keep to main roads with streetlights and avoid dark alleyways and shortcuts though parks. Tell a responsible person when you will be home. Carry a personal alarm.

Stay together - make sure everyone gets home safely either with the group or in a taxi.

If you have information relating to any of these incidents you can contact the South Bedfordshire Robbery Team, at Luton Police, Station, in confidence, on 01582 394471, or Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Olly Martins, has today launched a public survey to help decide the future of police stations and says that tough choices need to be made.

Currently, police buildings in Bedfordshire, including local stations, cost £3m annually to run and maintain.

But due to on-going cuts in government funding, Beds Police has to identify £7.5m of savings over the next two years in addition to the £15m it has already removed from the budget since 2010.

Beds Police say that many of the existing buildings are outdated and in need of refurbishment and are consuming vast sums of money which could be better spent on protecting front line officers or PCSOs.

The new survey aims to collect information about how local people use policing services and the methods they employ to contact officers in a non-emergency situation.

It also poses questions aimed at helping Commissioner Martins gauge support for replacing some stations with more accessible facilities in public areas such as public buildings and supermarkets.

Commissioner Martins said: “This survey is vital in helping us to understand what local people want from their police service and how much they are prepared to compromise to achieve it.

“Our finances are finite and to keep as many police officers and PCSOs on our streets we need to look at reducing wastage and utilising our resources in the best way.

“Modern policing has changed considerably over the years, chiefly due to the use of technology. In the future officers will be able to carry out much of their communications and administrative tasks while on the move, which reduces the demand on premises and increases their visibility.

“Similarly, many residents choose to contact the police via email or telephone for a non-urgent matter which has further reduced footfall within many of our police stations.

“Our task is to decide whether the precious funds we are using to keep these buildings open could now be better spent on protecting our frontline.

“There are many innovative ways of increasing access to the police while reducing overheads. One option is establish police bases right in the heart of the community by sharing facilities with public or commercial providers which would make it more convenient for the public to talk to an officer.

“Tough choices need to be made but I want local residents views to help shape the options chosen by completing the survey.

“Among other issues the survey asks people what their main concerns would be in relation to police station front counter or station closures and how often, if at all, respondents have visited their local police station during the past year.”

No decisions regarding the future of Bedfordshire’s police buildings and front counters have been taken and Commissioner Martins is appealing for everyone with an interest in local policing to have their say in how policing will be delivered in future.

The questionnaire is online to keep costs down but is available on paper by request. The deadline for responses is October 1 and people can access the survey at www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk/police-stations-survey/ or if they would prefer a hard copy, call 01234 842064.

Organisers of an annual awards scheme in Luton are looking to praise the Community Business of the Year.

The Community Awards, now in their fourth year, involve 14 categories in all with the theme of recognising Luton’s unsung heroes.

Sukh Saini, managing partner of headline sponsor Pictons said: “It is incredible how much fantastic work is being done by individuals, whether that’s something that goes way beyond the call of duty, or simply because they are warm, caring and generous individuals who make life better for the people in the town. The Community Awards are something to be cherished and that’s why as a company we’re delighted to be headline sponsors for the third year running. It’s a very exciting process and I really encourage people to get nominating their local heroes now.”

As well as the Community Business Of The Year, other categories are Concern Award/Improving Lives; Young Hero; Exceptional Achievement; Charity Champion; Service With A Smile; Community Arts; Role Model of the Year; Our Luton; Best Neighbour; Lifetime Achievement; Carer of the Year; Volunteer of the Year, Teacher of the Year; the Mayor’s Award.

Nominations close on Monday, September 2 and the winners will be announced at a glittering event on October 25. Some 15 judges will choose the winners.

Last year’s Community Awards raised £10,000 for Keech Hospice and the same amount for a community project in Malawi.

This year’s charities are Keech Hospice Care and the Children’s Ward at the Luton & Dunstable Hospital and Community Awards founder Mostaque Koyes hopes more than £20,000 will be raised this year.

A range of local businesses are sponsoring the awards, including Bartham Group, Venue Central, Develop EBP, Safer Luton Partnership, Basepoint, LegalSolutions Partnership, Luton Sixth Form College, University of Bedfordshire, Army, Luton Culture, Pictons, Luton Clinical Commissioning Group, South Anglia and A- Plan.

This year the media sponsors are the Herald and Post, Luton News, Diverse FM, Inspire FM and E- touch Media.

For details and how to nominate visit www.communitycommunications.co.uk

> Businesses are also being encouraged to enter the Bedfordshire Business Excellence Awards, organised by Premier Newspapers. For details of categories and how to enter, visit www2.bedfordtoday.co.uk/businessawards2013

A business woman has been spotlighted as a rising star of management.

Kate Cawley, 31, creative director of environmental consultancy WasteSolve, in Covent Garden Close, Luton, has been nominated among 35 women aged under 35 to watch.

Management Today chose her for “her impressive approach to leadership, a woman doing innovative things in very much a man’s world.”

She has been recognised for campaigns for clients including Waitrose. Her work helps clients cut landfill waste to zero.

WasteSolve, which has tripled turnover in two years, employs more than 250 people.

Ms Cawley said: “I wanted to create a company that turned waste management on its head; that took a fresh, more relevant approach to possibly the biggest challenge of our lives – resource scarcity. So WasteSolve helps ambitious and visionary companies deliver their environmental strategies through engaging teams fully in the social and commercial benefits of success.”

Outraged councillors and residents shared their experiences of travellers in Luton at a heated council meeting on Monday.

They spoke of travellers defecating in full view of children, causing criminal damage and intimidating local residents.

The council’s executive committee agreed to a crackdown on illegal encampments, and vowed to adopt a policy of ‘immediate eviction’, which is currently applied in Herts and Central Beds.

However they said that without the support of police it was difficult to act effectively, and expressed concern that the law was not enforced by police when it came to travellers.

Wigmore Councillor Peter Chapman spoke about when travellers were in Wigmore recently and said: “People were effectively trapped in their homes, not able to go out because they were so intimidated. There was serious damage to the area. It seems priority is given to the travellers and assessing their needs. Nobody assessed the residents’ needs, nobody asked how they were.”

He said after a recent lengthy eviction process, travellers in Colwell Rise drove round the corner to Hedley Rise and set up camp there instead, and the whole process had to start again.

Councillor Sian Timoney said: “In Stockwood Park travellers got through four different security measures. Police are the only ones who can take the action we need to take. Olly (Martins) says it’s a council issue but police can take other action and we have seen them do it when they want to.”

Speaking after the meeting, Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire Olly Martins said: “Beds Police, the council and my office have been working together closely on other issues in Luton such as the sex trade in High Town and serious violence in Luton. The partnership is well established, so it comes as a bit of a surprise to me the sort of megaphone diplomacy we have seen with this problem.

“This is a complex issue which needs to be talked about properly rather than on Twitter. I wasn’t invited to the meeting, my office hasn’t been contacted. All I’ve been told is a Twitter exchange with Councillor Timoney. We need to sit down round the table rather than engaging in megaphone diplomacy.”

He said if people could provide dates and times of when the law had not been enforced he would look into it.

The executive agreed the council would arrange a meeting with MPs and the police to discuss the matter.

The Travellers Hotline for residents to report illegal encampments, which was slammed for its “unacceptable service” , will also be reviewed.

> What do you think?

Travellers were removed from Stopsley Recreation Ground today (August 2) by police who used special legislation to make them leave.

The travellers had been illegally camped at the site since Tuesday and it is thought they may be the same group who were previously in Manor Road, Popes Meadow, Colwell Rise and Hedley Rise.

As reported in the Luton News and Herald & Post this week, the council’s executive committee have vowed to crackdown on illegal encampments, and intended to ask police for help during the eviction process.

A reader who did not wish to be named but lives in St Thomas’ Road in Stopsley said: “There were 26 caravans on the recreation ground and the police wouldn’t do anything about it, but since you published that story they have sent cars up there. When we reported it they just ignored us, but since that story in the paper they have done something.”

The resident said he was told it would be next weekend before the council’s eviction process would take effect.

He said: “That was no good for us. We can’t even go out, they are so aggressive. They don’t care if you are in your house they are banging the doors down and breaking in anyway. They are so brazen. They come in the back gardens in the evening when kids are playing, I can’t have it. We have been fobbed off by the police until now.”

A Bedfordshire Police spokesman said: “We are working with Luton Borough Council to implement Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act for the removal of the unauthorised encampment in Stopsley. Notice was served at 8.30am giving the families until 10am to move from the location.”

At a meeting of the council’s executive on Monday, councillors said without the help of police it was difficult for them to act quickly and effectively.

Another Stopsley resident said: “It’s horrendous. Exactly the same thing happened last year and what they do is illegal because they are trespassing. Last year they drove through the tennis court to get there - they just drive and knock down anything in their way. They completely commandeered a massive field and parked all the way round. It’s such a popular recreation ground for kids to play and dogs to walk but it’s unusable when they are there. And how much council money is it going to cost to clear it all up once they’ve left? The council needs to build concrete barriers.”

Two puppies who may have been carrying rabies and should not have travelled to this country have been seized by the council.

One dog was found in the town centre and another in Stopsley following concern raised by members of the public.

Although the seized animals had pet passports from other European countries, neither had received a rabies vaccination and one of the dogs was too young to have had the vaccination anyway, so neither of the animals should have been travelling here.

Cllr Mohammed Ashraf, portfolio holder for Trading Standards, said: “Unlike the rest of the world including some parts of Europe, this is a rabies-free island,and we would like to keep it that way! The law is there to protect all of us including our pets and wildlife, so don’t place lives at risk.“

One of the two dogs seized had been bought for £300, even though it would normally have been sold from a reputable source for up to £1500.

The Council advises people to avoid dogs being sold at below the market price or from dealers in private houses as this may indicate the animal is an illegal import.

Pay particular attention if the documentation is not in English.

Rabies is a serious infection. It invariably kills any creature, including humans, bitten by a rabid animal and can spread throughout a neighbourhood at an alarming rate.

Any imported animal without or with an invalid pet passport will be seized to protect this country from rabies and kept in quarantine. Unless the owner can prove the dog is here legally, they will be billed for overall costs which can be nearly £1,000.

If you are thinking about buying a puppy, check the paperwork very carefully and make sure it is in order – if you have any doubts then seek advice by calling Trading Standards on 08454 040506. But don’t just buy the dog anyway.

If you have any information about a dog which may have been illegally imported into this country, please call the Council on 01582 547262 or email tradingstandards@luton.gov.uk

Both the seized dogs have now been vaccinated, placed in quarantine and appear to be free from the rabies virus.

Budding builders took part in the Connect Property Challenge 2013 at Stopsley High School.

Organised by Develop EBP and Connect Property Services Ltd, year nine students from Stopsley, Cardinal Newman and Lealands High School all competed in tasks such as quality surveying, wall tilling, joinery and plumbing.

The event showed students the diversity of careers offered by the company and the skills needed to become a future employee.

Former BBC presenter Stephen Rhodes will be grilling people for fun at a media training day for small businesses.

Mr Rhodes was an award-winning consumer show presenter on BBC Three Counties Radio before leaving his job to unsuccessfully stand for Parliament in Luton.

Now he runs video production company Bullet Point Media from Eaton Bray and will be giving delegates the chance to experience a grilling in a radio interview during a media and PR training afternoon in September.

He said: “Many large companies have PR departments devoted to getting their messages out. Against that, smaller companies struggle to make themselves heard with their limited resources and focus on the day to day job of running a business.

“Our media and PR training afternoon will help small companies level the playing field by giving valuable insights into the workings of real newsrooms.

“Our media training session earlier this year was a huge success and we expect the same level of interest this time round.”

The event will be held at Tilsworth Golf Club, Tilsworth, near Leighton Buzzard, on September 12.

A journalist will also be there to let delegates know what is considered news.

Mr Rhodes added: “We’ve slashed the prices for Federation of Small Business (FSB) members both to support its members and because we’re looking for spokespeople for a forthcoming PR campaign, Although we’re not looking to ‘press gang’ people into it if they don’t want to!”

For details visit http://tilsmedia.eventbrite.co.uk or email stephen.rhodes@bulletpointmedia.co.uk

The Mandip Mudhar Memorial Foundation’s annual football festival saw its 14th year on Saturday July 27.

The tournament is at the cornerstone of the organisation whose members have supported charitable causes in the name of local youngster Mandip Mudhar, who died in a car accident.

Since its inception in 2001, the organisation has lent its backing to a set of causes and re-affirmed its support for initiatives that promote blood and organ donation among black and ethnic minorities.

Supported by Luton Council of Faiths and Grassroots programme, the game continues to bring communities together through sport. It raised money for Friends of Bright Eyes, a charity that supports children with special needs.

This year the Foundation has worked closely with Bedfordshire FA in promoting initiatives to get more people into refereeing. It also had Tesco’s Skills Coaches on the day coaching five to 11-year-old boys and girls.

The time to act is now and enter the Bedfordshire Business Excellence Awards before the looming deadline.

A host of fantastic firms from across the county have already taken the plunge and put their names forward for the awards well in advance of the September 6 deadline.

Among the latest entrants are website and app wizards Silvertoad, from Butterfield, Great Marlings in Luton.

Health and beauty specialists Crimson Catz, based in Lonsdale Close, Luton, will be going for creative innovation and enterprising organisation categories in the awards, held in assocation with Barclays.

Fine food and wine specialists Harpers Food, in Dunstable Road, Studham, have entered in categories for customer service, creative innovation, enterprising organisation and business of the year (under 50 employees).

They are joined by businesses from Bedford and Leighton Buzzard that will be vying for a place at the glittering award ceremony in the county town on Thursday November 7.

There are 10 sponsored categories to go for as well as two special awards to be handed out on the night at the Corn Exchange.

The celebrity guest speaker and awards host this year will be former British number one tennis player , now TV presenter Andrew Castle. £10 from every ticket sale will go to East Anglia Air Ambulance appeal.

Visit www2.bedfordtoday.co.uk/businessawards2013 for all the details, including how to book tickets for the event organised by Premier Newspapers.

A manufacturing firm’s transformation programme has earned recognition from an engineering superstar.

Hayward Tyler, in Kimpton Road, Luton, has received a Certificate of Achievement from Rolls Royce’s Nuclear Quality Improvements Awards programme.

Hayward Tyler has been designing and supplying nuclear related applications in the UK and Scandinavia since the building of the first civil nuclear power station in 1956.

The company has also been seeing a “strong momentum” in new orders. New orders booked from April 1 to June 30 were 42 per cent ahead of the same period last year, at £13.9 million.

These include, as a result of closer collaboration between its North American and Chinese operations, its first order for several mission critical canned motor pumps for use in the chemical manufacturing industry in the people’s republic.

Ewan Lloyd-Baker, Hayward Tyler’s chief executive, said: “We are encouraged that the momentum in the business that we demonstrated in the final quarter of the 15 month period ending March 31 has continued into the current financial year. This is allowing us to reach strategically into complementary markets whilst maintaining growth in our core sectors, and is enabling us to continue to invest in our long-term talent pool through Hayward Tyler’s graduate recruitment and apprenticeship initiatives.

“We are encouraged with the progress being made by the group which gives us confidence in meeting our expectations for the current financial year.”

Businesses can learn about company survival from the experience of a council hit by a flood.

When a fifth floor water tank burst at Luton Borough Council’s Town Hall extension it rendered a call centre staffed by 42 people unusable.

It could have been a disaster for the unit handling 2,500 calls a day.

The switchboard area and electrical systems had been damaged. But the council had a plan and staff were moved.

Tony Green, Luton Borough Council’s civil protection and business continuity officer, said: “The end result was the minimum of disruption to anyone’s working day, and no impact whatsoever on the quality of service provided to the people who matter most, our customers.”

The council is a partner of Bedfordshire and Luton Local Resilience Forum (BLLRF) which asks firms what they would do if disaster struck.

BLLRF chairman Chief Superintendent Mike Colbourne said: “We are urging businesses to make sure they are aware of the risks that could affect their operations, and what actions can be taken to mitigate against them.”

An elderly couple were assaulted by burglars armed with a screwdriver in Wood Green Road yesterday (August 2).

A 77-year-old man answered the door at about 3.30pm to a man asking if he needed any gardening doing.

While he was at the door two other men entered by the back door and the gang demanded gold.

They threatened the victim with a screwdriver and while this was going on his wife returned home and was also assaulted.

The couple were left with cuts and bruises but it is unclear what was taken.

The burglars are described as white, muscular men, and a white Range Rover and bottle green transit van were seen near the house at the time of the incident.

It was the second aggravated burglary reported to Beds Police yesterday, and police believe elderly people with Asian gold are being targeted.

Police are warning residents to be vigilant and ensure their back door is locked if they go to answer the front door and vice-versa.

In a similar incident two hours earlier which police say could be connected, a 72-year-old woman in Dunstable was tied up in her bedroom.

She discovered three men in her home when she came downstairs after having a bath.

One of the men had knocked on her front door at just before the bath asking if ‘Chris’ was at home, and when she told him he must have the wrong house, he left.

After her bath, she then found the same man in her kitchen, along with two other men who were wearing balaclava-like masks.

The men, one of whom spoke with a Polish accent, demanded gold, threatened her and pushed her around the house.

They searched for her valuables and then tied her up in the bedroom and left.

She was able to free herself and phone for help.

If you have any information about the burglaries call Det Con Ian Knapgate on 101.