Masked men burst into two houses in Oxfordshire and left an elderly man with head wounds during violent burglaries yesterday.

Detectives are linking the incidents and appealing for information.

Two men wearing balaclavas burst into a house at Ambleside Drive, in Headington, Oxford, at 5.50pm, and demanded money.

They threatened the homeowners with what police described as a "bladed article" and stole mobile phones and wallets.

At aboutd 8.50pm, two men got into a house in High Street, Beckley, north-east of Oxford.

They assaulted a 64-year-old man with the weapon and stole a 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 John Radcliffe 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're linking the two incidents and urge anyone with information that could assist our inquiries to get in touch.

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

A 24-year-old man arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary remains in custody.

Anyone with information should call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

mwilkinson@oxfordmail.co.uk