Pensioner and son fight off three raiders

The yobs climbed through the wreckage and scuffled with the victims, aged 87 and 62, who asked not to be named.

The attackers first claimed they needed help getting their ball from the garden and the family, who live in the Wood End area, Northolt, are urging residents to be on their guard.

The father had to be taken to hospital for stitches after the terrifying ordeal as his hand had been badly cut by the glass.

He said: "It was about 7.30pm and we were waiting for my wife to come home from her dialysis when we heard a noise.

"I looked through the glass door but couldn't see an ambulance but then I heard another noise at the back, it sounded like children. They were shouting for us to open the door and help them get their ball which I thought was strange because it was dark.

"I said no and they came to the front, that's when they broke the glass and started forcing their way into the hall.

"They started going for my son and me and I shouted I was calling the police. I didn't know what they wanted, I didn't know what was going on, I just wanted to get them out. Then they just gave up and ran off.

"There have been several burglaries in the area, they come to the back and ask about their ball while someone comes in the front.

"It is the first time it has happened to us and we've lived here more than 40 years. You don't think it'll happen to you. I always listening out for noises now thinking: 'what's that.'

"We've got two doors and they were both locked, I don't know how they managed to open our porch door to get to our front door but we're definitely more security conscious now. We've replaced the doors and they're solid, we won't be getting any glass doors in future."

The attackers are white, male and in their late teens. A fourth teenager in the group watched but did not take part, he may be black.

Anyone who has any information about the break-in last Tuesday (27) should call Ealing Police on 0300 123 1212 or the North Greenford safer Neighbourhood Team on 020 8721 2914 or 07879 667332.