Four balaclava-clad burglars burst into a house in Northfleet and attacked a 17-year-old girl before making off with a hoard of electrical items.

Police are appealing for witnesses after the terrifying intrusion at a flat in Lansdowne Square at around 10pm on Thursday, Jan 29.

The two female occupants, both 17, were forced into a bedroom by one of the intruders, while the other three ransacked the property.

During the traumatic incident, one of the two women was punched and suffered facial injuries.

It is thought the robbers may have escaped in a dark-coloured old-style VW car, possibly a Polo.

Detective Inspector Ian Dampier, said: “It is possible that people living in nearby flats may have seen the four men acting suspiciously in the car park beforehand or witnessed them as they left. I would urge anyone with information to get in touch.”

All four men were in their late teens or early 20s, and were wearing balaclavas. Three were white and one was of mixed race. If you have information which may help police with their inquiries, call Det Insp Dampier at North Kent Police Station on 01474 366098 or Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555111.