UPDATE: Pensioner branded a 'hero' after fighting off attackers

A GANG of burglars who broke into a family's Oxford home armed with hammers before smashing a plate over a pensioner's head are wanted by police.

At 4.20pm on December 5, residents were at home in Hill View, Sandhills.

Three men armed with hammers smashed into the property through the front door. One of the men hit one of the occupants, a man in his 80s, over the head with the plate – but the pensioner managed to fight him off with a chair.

The offenders ran off and into a waiting getaway car, which drove off at speed.

As they made their getaway, the car narrowly avoided a man crossing the road with a pushchair. No one was injured.

Two of the offenders were white, while the other was black. All wore balaclavas and gloves at the time of the attack.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Bryan Groves, of Force CID based in Oxford, said: "I would like to speak to anyone who has any information about this incident or anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously. If you have any information which could assist the investigation please contact police."

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 and quote reference number 43170361915 or call Crimestoppers anonymously.