POLICE are stepping up patrols in a Hampshire village after armed robbers blindfolded and gagged an elderly couple in their own home.

Officers are going door-to-door asking residents if they remember seeing any suspicious people or vehicles in the area.

As reported by the Daily Echo, the masked raiders smashed their way into a retired couple’s home in West End before tying them up, blindfolding and gagging them during the terrifying ordeal.

They proceeded to steal a quantity of licensed firearms and ammunition and also fled with a substantial amount of high-quality diamond jewellery, several gold necklace sets and nine Rolex watches.

No one was seriously hurt during the attack on August 8 although one of the victims suffered substantial facial bruising.

The gang of three or four men were all dressed in black and wearing ski masks.

Detectives are also appealing for information on a silver car that was later seen in the area of A27 Kanes Hill and the junction of Pinewood Park at around 9.15pm which they believe is linked to the incident.

Police said the family have not given permission for more details about the location of the incident to be released to the public.

Anyone with information about the incident should call Southampton CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting Operation Watch.