A man was punched, kicked, and had his nose broken by a group of men in his own bedroom.

The 41-year-old victim was at his home in Old Watford Road, Bricket Wood, at 10:45pm on January 25, when he was attacked.

Four men, including one in a skeleton mask, broke into the multi-occupancy house demanding money.

The masked man entered the bedroom first, asking where the money was.

He was followed in by two men, and the group then began assaulting the victim. A fourth man is believed to have been standing on the landing outside.

The victim, who sustained a broken nose and injuries to his face and head, was able to shout for help and the four suspects decided to flee the house, empty handed, in an unknown direction.

The first and second suspects were wearing black Northface jackets, black jogging bottoms, black trainers, and orange and white gloves.

The third man was wearing a black Puffa jacket, black Adidas bottoms, black trainers and latex gloves. The fourth man was wearing a black jacket, black jogging bottoms and black and red motorcycle gloves.

Detective Constable Jody Perrin from the St Albans local crime unit said: “This was a particularly unusual incident where the burglars used violence against the victim in order to try and extract money from him. I would like to speak to anyone who saw people acting suspiciously or any suspicious vehicles in the area at the time.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the police on 101, quoting crime reference F3/18/186 or you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800555111.

Police have reassured residents after a number of burglaries in Bricket Wood.

A spokesman for Hertfordshire Police said: "We would like to reassure residents that covert and high-visibility police patrols have been increased. Bricket Wood has been targeted recently and lots of work is being done by uniformed and non-uniformed police officers including detectives to trace those responsible."