OFFICERS investigating an aggravated burglary in Northway, Tewkesbury are appealing for information.

The incident happened at around 8.15pm yesterday (February 9) at a property on the Hopyard, when the homeowners returned and disturbed the burglars, The intruders sprayed ammonia in the house and at the homeowners before making off from the scene.

A large amount of cash was stolen during the burglary and entry was gained by force. There is thought to have been five offenders who left the scene in a vehicle.

Inspector Dave Goga, of the Tewkesbury local policing area, said: “This is an unusual incident due to the amount of offenders involved and the use of ammonia.

“I urge anyone who saw a suspicious vehicle with around five people inside to call police – no matter how trivial you think it is, your information may be vital to our enquiries. One of our police dogs tracked a scent towards the Long Eights area so we believe the offenders made off in a vehicle from this location.

“I also urge anyone who lives in the local area with CCTV to make contact with police as their footage may be of assistance to us.”

Two other burglaries also occurred in the area at around the same time. One was on Derwent Drive where the homeowner was in and entry was attempted via the rear of the property. Nothing was stolen.

A second burglary happened on Elmbury Drive. Offenders forced entry to the property and completed an untidy search, resulting in an iPad being stolen. Enquiries are ongoing to establish whether all three burglaries are linked.

If you have information in connection with the aggravated burglary on the Hopyard, call police on 101 quoting incident 448 of February 9.

To give information on the other two burglaries, call 101 quoting incident 438 for Derwent Drive or 475 for Elmbury Drive, both of February 9.

You can also contact the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their Anonymous Online Form at crimestoppers-uk.org.

No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court.