Hooded robbers threatened people in raids on homes in Oxford and Beckley.

At about 5.50pm yesterday, two men wearing balaclavas burst into a house in Ambleside Drive, Headington, and demanded money from the occupants.

The men threatened them with a bladed weapon and stole items including mobile phones and wallets.

At about 8.50pm, two men burst into a house in High Street, Beckley, again carrying the bladed weapon. They assaulted one of the occupants, a 64-year-old man, with the weapon. They stole a plasma television, mobile phones and a wallet.

Det Insp Kevin Elkins said: “In both incidents the occupants of the house were left shaken. The man who was attacked in his home in Beckley sustained head injuries and was taken to the JR2 Hospital where he was later discharged. His wife, who was also at home at the time of the attack, was left badly shaken.

“I appeal to anyone who was in either Headington or Beckley yesterday and witnessed people acting suspiciously to contact police immediately.

“At this stage we are linking the two incidents and urge anyone with information that could assist our enquiries to get in touch.

“We believe a third man was used as a driver to take the offenders from the crime scenes.”

Anyone with information that could assist police enquiries is urged to contact Det Insp Elkins via Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505. If you don’t want to speak to police and don’t want to leave your name contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

  • A 24-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary. He is in custody.