Five masked men, armed with bats, forced their way into a house and threatened two elderly women before ripping jewellery off them.

The gang struck late at night, barging their way in before subjecting the women to a terrifying ordeal.

Once inside, the group threatened the victims with weapons with one man grabbing hold of one victim’s face and asking where her jewellery was.

The group made both women stay in the living room and threatened them before removing their jewellery. The men, who reportedly had bats with them, searched the house and stole a large quantity of jewellery before fleeing.

It happened at around 10.40pm on Thursday, January 25 in Priory Road, Dartford, and police want to hear from anyone who may have seen the group of men or the car they used in the moments before or after the incident.

Officers have identified CCTV of a dark coloured estate type vehicle which was seen in the area at the time.

Two men are described as slim build, black, around 5ft 9ins and wearing black clothing with their faces covered with plastic masks. One man was lighter skinned than the other.

A third man is described as being black, medium build, 5ft 9ins and also wearing black clothing with a plastic face mask. He was also carrying a bat-shaped object.

The fourth man is described as black and wearing black clothing and a black mask. He was aged 30 to 40 years old and was of a medium build and around 5ft 9ins.

The fifth man is described as white, aged in his 50s, around 5ft 7ins and of medium build. He had a black bandana covering half his face. He was wearing black clothing and had light coloured eyes. At one point his mask came off showing he had a round face and a flat nose.

Anyone with information should call police on 01474 366149 quoting crime reference number XY/5174/18 or Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.