A 58-year-old woman sustained minor injuries after being punched by balaclava-clad burglars who broke into her Woodford Green home.

She was sleeping at her home in Rivington Avenue, and woke up to investigate a noise in her hallway at around 8.30pm on Tuesday, February 12.

There the woman found two men standing in her living room and began shouting at them.

They ran from the rear of the house but returned to the front door of her home, punching her as they attempted to push their way in.

Neighbours came to assist the woman and the suspects drove off in a blue car.

Police were called at 8.48pm and no one has been arrested or charged at this stage.

A police spokeswoman said: “I want to reassure our community that everything possible is being done to tackle these terrible crimes.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Met police on 101.

You can find crime prevention advice on www.met.police.uk