POLICE have launched an appeal after a group of masked men stole thousands of pounds in cash from an elderly man's home near Wotton.

Offenders forced entry to the property through a side door at around 8pm on Thursday, October 5. 

Gloucestershire Police say the group then threatened the man in his late 80s with weapons and pushed him around. 

As well as stealing cash, the group searched the home and stole a safe, which was empty, a wallet, jewellery and a jewellery box. 

House to house enquiries have been taking place in the area. 

Police are now asking for the public's help to gather further information.

PC Samuel Hall said: "This was a really horrible incident with a man aged in his late 80s being threatened in his own home.

"While we're trying to piece together what happened and who is responsible. 

“We're keen to hear from anyone who has spotted any suspicious activity in the area recently - such as vehicles they haven't seen before or people scoping out properties.

"It's likely that those involved have travelled to the location in one or more vehicles. 

“We're urging anyone with dashcam or CCTV to review their cameras between 7pm and 8.30pm on Thursday, October 5 in the areas of Wotton-under-Edge and Charfield, to see if there is anything out of the ordinary which has been captured.

"The offenders threatened the man and pushed him around. 

“Thankfully he was not physically injured, but he is understandably very shaken by this ordeal and we're urging anyone with information to come forward."

You can provide information to police online by completing the following form and quoting incident 440 of October 5 here - tinyurl.com/4abtem4