MASKED men armed with crowbars injured a man when they stormed into his house in a violent burglary.

The brazen trio forced their way in through the back door of the detached home, assaulting the man and demanding his watch.

The victim, a man in his 50s who is understood to have been in his kitchen chopping vegetables at the time, was hit on the head by the thugs and ended up in hospital before later being released.

Detectives are now hunting the gang, all of whom were dressed in dark clothing and wearing balaclavas, who fled from the house in West End Road, Bitterne.

Part of the road at its junction with Wynter Road was cordoned off with police tape following the incident around 5pm on Friday as forensic searches got underway and police carried out house to house enquiries.

One neighbour who didn't want to be named said she had been in her back garden next door when the men came to the house.

“He told me they came in while he was in the kitchen and demanded he hand over his watch and the knife he was using to cut vegetables.

“I didn't even hear them come into the house.”

Neighbour Seamus MacShimone added: “I'm surprised. You can see directly into their garden. We were sat watching TV we didn't hear a thing.”

Another neighbour who lived directly opposite said: “I was absolutely shocked. It must have been a terrible ordeal. It gives you a blooming fright.

“The police were there all night. I didn't even know it had happened until they told me. Afterwards you think, oh my god.”

Hampshire police are urging people to come forward who have information or in particular saw the three men running off.

Det Sgt Matt Taylor said: “Thankfully the man was not seriously injured but he was left shaken by the attack.

“We'd like to hear from anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in this area at around 5pm on Friday.

“We would also like to establish if any residents saw any vehicles parked up in the area around the time which may have roused their suspicions.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.