Four masked burglars broke into a house in Caterham on Tuesday night, threatening a lone woman with screwdrivers.

The incident took place in a house on a small road off Buxton Lane at around 7pm (October 30).

The four balaclava-clad men smashed through the rear door of the property to gain entry while the victim was home alone.

The victim was threatened with screwdrivers as the men demanded to know where the safe was. She was then forced upstairs while the offenders ransacked the house before leaving.

Detective Constable Elliott Abdo, who is investigating the incident, said: “The target was a large detached house situated within a small road and we suspect that the offenders would have had a vehicle waiting for them on the main road.

"We are asking the public whether anyone may have seen a group of males running onto Buxton Lane at around 7.12pm.

"They may also have seen a group of men getting into some kind of vehicle and they may be able to help us identify this. Any information may assist this investigation and help us identify and arrest those responsible.

“This was a particularly nasty offence and the victim has been left extremely shaken by what has happened. However, we would like to reassure the local community we are working hard to establish what happened.”

If you can help, please contact us on 101, quoting PR/45180116056. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.