A 60-year-old man with mental health problems was attacked by burglars.
Police are appealing for information after a gang got inside a home in Sandford Road, Littlemore, Oxford, at about 11.45pm on Monday.
They attacked a 60-year-old man but left without stealing anything.
Police are treating the attack as an attempted aggravated burglary.
Det Con John Linsdell, of Oxford CID, said: "A group of youths wearing tracksuits were seen in the area on that evening and we are linking them with this incident.
"We do not know how many went inside the building, so we are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time to contact us.
"This incident is of particular concern to me because of the vulnerability of the adults involved."
The man was taken to hospital with head wounds, but later released.
Anyone with information is urged call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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