A ‘knife-wielding’ man threatened two elderly women on their doorstep and demanded money from them, but left empty-handed after being disturbed by neighbour.

The victims – a woman in her 60s and a woman in her 70s – were approached at the front door of one of their homes in Timber Hill, Ashtead at about 9.30am on Wednesday, September 14.

Their attacker approached them from behind and demanded money whilst brandishing what the victims believed to be a knife.

But neighbours heard the disturbance, went outside to see what was happening, and scared off their attacker.

The victims had been walking home from Ashtead village.

The suspect is described as white, in his late teens or early twenties, of medium to slim build and clean shaved. He was believed to be wearing all black with the hood of his jacket covering half of his face.

Detective Constable, Paul Fitzpatrick from East Surrey Criminal Investigation Department, said: “This was a shocking incident which has understandably left two women very shaken.

“I would like to reassure the public that reports of this nature are rare and we have stepped up patrols in the area to provide visible reassurance to the community.”

To offer information, call Surrey Police on 101, quoting crime reference number 45160080856.

Or you can report online by entering the reference number in the ‘additional information’ section at https://report.police.uk/