An elderly man was assaulted and gagged during a “despicable” burglary in his Putteridge Road home on Thursday.
Three male offenders forced their way into the house at 2.30am and dragged the 84-year-old out of his bed as his wife slept.
They grabbed him around the neck and threatened to assault him with a knife.
He was walked around the house by the burglars who demanded to know where the safe was, despite the victim not having one.
They searched the house, stole bank cards and cash and then gagged the man with tape and tried to bind his hands together.
The gentleman managed to fight them off and press a Careline button which is installed in his house and set off an alarm.
The burglars then fled through the back door.
Det Con James Wildman said: “This was a quite despicable crime by a group of cowards. The victim showed extreme bravery in fighting off his attackers and raising the alarm in the way that he did. Thankfully he and his wife were not harmed during the attack but he has been left shaken up by the incident.
“I urge anyone with information about this crime to come forward and talk to us. Even the smallest pieces of information, which may not seem relevant, could be important.”
If you have information relating to this incident, contact Det Con Godfree, in confidence, on 01582 394443, the non-emergency 101 number, or text information to 07786 200011.
Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.