A PAIR of burglars broke into a home and assaulted the residents with a hammer.

The two men forced their way into a house in St Elizabeth Avenue, Bitterne, attacking the four occupants and stealing a large sum of money.

They then fled the scene on motorbikes.

The victims received medical treatment at the scene shortly after the incident at 10.30pm on Wednesday, April 2.

Police are appealing for witnesses and DC Rob Dawson said: “This type of crime is very unusual, and the homeowner’s understandably have been shaken up by the incident. I would appeal to anyone who was in the area, who may have seen or heard anything usual to contact me at Bitterne Police Station on 101.”

It is the second home invasion in Southampton in two weeks after a gang broke into a Millbrook home and threatened a man with a gun.

Anyone with information should call DC Dawson at Bitterne CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.