Multiple men rob Banbury home

Between 5.30pm and 5.50pm on Friday, November 15, three men entered a property in Dover Avenue via the front door whilst the victim was inside.

Various items of property were stolen, including costume jewellery, a gold necklace, a cocktail watch and a blue/grey metal box containing documentation relating to the victim.

In addition, a black Twilight collector's handgun was stolen. The handgun is designed only to fire blank rounds and would not be easily converted to fire live rounds.

All three offenders are believed to have had English accents, but at one point two of the men spoke to each other in a foreign language, thought to be Polish or Romanian.

At least two of the men had tight black facial coverings, covering the lower half of their faces.

One man is described as being between 40 and 50-years-old, 5ft 10ins tall and of muscular build. He was wearing a thick dark coloured winter jacket and brown gloves in a rough material.

Another of the men is believed to be younger and slimmer than the first man described.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Claire Rennie, based at Banbury police station, said: "As the handgun cannot fire live rounds we do not believe it poses a threat to the public.

However, I am appealing for anyone who was in the area between 5pm and 6pm who saw anything suspicious.

"This area was likely to be busy at the time, with people returning from work. A small dark coloured hatchback vehicle with dark alloys was seen leaving Dover Avenue in the direction of Bretch Hill at approximately 5.50pm and I am very keen to trace the driver or occupants of this vehicle.

She added: "I also ask that anyone with access to dash-cam footage who was parked or driving through the area at the time of the incident to please review it for anything that could help.

"Alternatively, if anyone recognises the description of the offenders, please get in touch with police by calling 101, or making a report online and quoting 43190357652."