A woman was hit in the face during a robbery on Wednesday (April 30).

The robbery took place at around 5.10pm when three men entered her home in Lucas Way, Shefford and demanded money as the 31-year-old woman was with her young children.

She had just waved off a friend and returned into the house, leaving her front door unlocked, when three men came through the doorway.

They threatened to harm her children if she did not hand over money and kicked her and grabbed her face to stop her screaming.

She was able to kick one in the groin and eventually they ran off, taking her purse on the way out.

It was a small black leather Jimmy Choo purse, decorated with gold-coloured studs which contained £40.

They ran out of the house and went right, then left and right again near some fields leading to the A600, probably to a waiting car.

The offenders are described as a mixed race man of around 30 years, 5ft 8ins tall, short dark hair and wearing a navy blue hooded top. An Asian man, around 5ft 8ins tall with a bobble hat, dark hooded top and a red scarf. And an Asian man, around 5ft 8ins tall, with a red scarf and blue hooded top.

Detective Constable Surinder Ram, of Bedford CID, said: “This was an appalling and shocking attack on a woman in her own home, and in front of her children. She’s been left bruised and understandably, very scared.

“We know that people saw the three offenders running away down Lucas Way – we’re hoping that someone else has seen them in the area and saw them getting in a car. If you saw anyone at all who fits this description in the area at the time please call us – every bit of information is important.”

DC Ram can be contacted direct on 01234 275347, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.