Three men wearing balaclavas attacked a man with a screwdriver in his own home.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses following the aggravated burglary at a home in Harefield Road, Rickmansworth, at 6.20pm yesterday (Tuesday).

The burglars, described as young with strong Irish accents, forced their way into the house, demanding gold, before threatening a man inside and assaulting him with a screwdriver.

Inside, they moved a fireplace before ransacking the property upstairs. A gold ring and a gold necklace were taken.

Fortunately the victim’s injuries were not serious but police say the attack has caused concern within the community.

It is at least the third aggravated burglary in the area.

At 6pm on January 25, a woman was also threatened with a screwdriver at her home in Chorleywood Road. The four burglars stole jewellery and cash. They were described as white, around 6ft tall, wore black clothing, gloves, and balaclavas.

While on the evening of January 23, burglars armed with axes stole a safe containing a high-value coin collection in Tudor Way near Mill End.

A number of items of jewellery were also stolen from a home in Parkside Drive in Watford on January 19.

Police have not confirmed whether the incidents are linked, although they have said they have received reports of burglaries targeting gold and Asian jewellery across the county and in London.

Following last night’s incident, detective inspector Mike Hanson said: “This has understandably caused concern within the community. Rest assured we are doing everything we can to trace the people responsible, including increased high-visibility and covert patrols.

“If you know who may be responsible or saw anyone acting suspiciously on Tuesday, please get in touch with us by calling 101.

“I’d encourage residents to keep their expensive and sentimental jewellery securely in banks or hide it in an unusual place, not in a jewellery box or upstairs. Also take photos of your jewellery. We’d also like to hear from anyone who has been offered cheap jewellery for sale as it could be stolen.”

“Always report any suspicious incidents to police on 101. If you suspect a burglary is in progress, always call 999. We would rather turn up to a call with good intention than risk a burglar escaping.”

“If you’ve got information about what happened in Harefield Road, no matter how small it might seem, call me via the non-emergency number 101 or email me at michael.hanson@herts.pnn.police.uk quoting ISR 639 of February 5.”