Police are appealing for information following an aggravated burglary.

They received reports that four men forced entry to the rear of an address in Dunmow Road, Thaxted before punching a man in the face at around 9.55pm on Monday.

The men, who were wearing balaclavas, carried out a messy search before leaving with a three-figure sum in cash.

Two of the men have been described as being 5ft 10in and all four wearing black clothes, including Puffa style jackets.

Three of the men have been described as being of a large build and the other of a skinny build and possibly aged in their 20s.

Police are treating this incident as targeted.

They would like to hear from anyone who noticed anything suspicious or a vehicle parked nearby and was flashing its lights.

They would also like to talk to anyone with CCTV, doorbell or dash cam footage.

Anyone with information should call Braintree CID on 101 quoting crime reference 42/22938/20 or call crime stoppers anonymously on 0800555111.