THREE men in balaclavas demanded money from a man after following him into his house.

Police in Pickering, North Yorkshire, are appealing for information over an aggravated burglary at a home in Firthland Road on Monday (December 15).

The men had followed a man into his property as he returned home, before punching him and demanding money. They also threatened the man’s wife who was in the house at the time.

The three men took an amount of money from the victim and then ran off via the front door of the property along Goslip Gate.

Police carried out extensive searches in the area to locate the suspects, including support from the National Police Air Service. But they were not traced and enquiries remain ongoing to find them.

The man and his wife, who are both aged in their 50s, were taken to Scarborough District Hospital for check-ups and were later released.

The man suffered minor facial injuries and his wife was physically uninjured. However, both were extremely distressed and shaken up by what happened to them.

Police are appealing to members of the public and want to hear from anyone who was in the Eastgate, Hungate, Southgate or Firthland Road area on the night of the burglary and saw any suspicious people or activity.

All three suspects are described as medium build and were wearing dark clothing and balaclavas.

Detective Sergeant Ken Proctor, of Scarborough CID, said: “This incident has left the victims very shocked by what happened and I am appealing to the public for their help as we continue our investigation.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for Scarborough CID.

Information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111, quoting reference number 12140216686.