A gang targeting bitcoin traders in an Oxfordshire village fled empty-handed, it has emerged.

On Monday last week a couple living in Moulsford, made famous by TV programme Midsomer Murders, were held at gunpoint in what is thought to be Britain’s first digital currency heist.

Four masked robbers broke into the converted barn in Moulsford, and reportedly forced a 30-year-old man and his 31-year-old female partner to transfer bitcoin funds while their baby was kept outside in a pram.

Thames Valley Police have now confirmed the transaction did not go ahead and it is possible the trader tricked the gang into believing it had been completed.

A force spokesman said: "It's correct to say that the attempted transaction of bitcoins failed."

Officers are investigating the aggravated burglary, which happened at the home off Reading Road on Monday last week.

The break-in happened at the rented barn at about 9.40am and it is understood the raiders got in after kicking down a door.

Police said the offenders threatened the two men and a woman inside with what appeared to be a firearm and demanded one of the occupants to transfer bitcoins electronically to another account.

A force spokesman said a male victim was 'struck on the head but was not seriously injured during the incident'.

He attended the John Radcliffe Hospital and was later discharged.

It is understood the residents, who have since moved out, run a digital currency company and the man was an experienced broker who had carried out more than 100,000 online trades.

Cryptocurrencies have been used by criminals because their trade is anonymous and they can be exchanged through online wallets and withdrawn as cash.

Bitcoin has experienced fluctuations in value - in September last year one bitcoin was worth £470 where as now it is just under £8,000.

Detective Inspector Ben Henley, of Force CID based at Abingdon police station, said: "We are particularly interested in speaking to anyone travelling through the village on the A329 Reading Road between 7.30am and 10.30am on Monday, January 22 who has any Dashcam footage or anyone with mobile phone footage.

"People in the local community may notice an increased presence of officers in the area while our enquiries and patrols are ongoing. The investigation is in its early stages however initial enquiries suggest this may be a targeted incident.

"No arrests have been made at this stage and anyone with any information relating to the incident is asked to call Thames Valley Police."