BURGLARS posing as council workers placed a knife in a woman's mouth and threatened to cut her son's throat in a terrifying attack at a Hounslow flat.


The intruders also bound and beat a family friend at the home in Sable Close, Hounslow, during the horrific ordeal on Friday, February 18.


Three men wearing fluorescent jackets and hard hats knocked on several doors in the street before the victim, who was with her young son and a friend, answered shortly after 9am.


They forced their way in, pushing the woman to the ground, tying her up and forcing her upstairs.

There they placed a knife in her mouth and threatened to slash her son's throat and wrists in front of her if she refused to tell them where they could find money.

The family friend was bound downstairs where he was badly beaten, had samurai swords held to his body and had his clothing slashed.

The men eventually fled carrying a large shopping bag with several bottles of expensive XO brandy.

Two of the attackers are black and the third was described as a skinny white man. They are all believed to be in their 20s.

Their clothing was similar to that worn by a number of workmen carrying out repairs to the flats and surrounding buildings.

Detective Constable Mark Eagle, of Hounslow Police, said the family had been left 'very traumatised' by the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to call Hounslow CID on 020 8247 5940 or Crimestoppers, free and anonymously, on 0800 555 111.