A man was attacked by a masked gang in a terrifying robbery.

Now detectives have made an appeal for help as they probe the Linthwaite incident.

Huddersfield officers said they believe people may have seen the thugs before or after the attack, which happened at a house on Spring Grove, Manchester Road, Linthwaite, on Thursday, December 10.

The gang struck between 10.30pm and 10.45pm when four masked men broke into a house on the street and assaulted a man inside with a metal bar or a baseball bat.

A woman inside fled and phoned the police, while the men searched the property.

All four males then left on foot having not stolen anything.

The victim suffered minor injuries during this incident.

The first suspect who was holding the weapon was described as white, 5’8ft tall, of average build with brown eyes. He wore a dark coloured balaclava over his face , dark-coloured hooded top, and dark-coloured track suit bottoms.

The second man was white, about 6ft in height, and also wore dark clothing, while the other two men were also white, wearing balaclavas.

Det Con Andy Clayton of Huddersfield CID, said: “We are appealing for information to this incident which we currently believe was a targeted attack.

“Clearly this was a very frightening and distressing incident for the persons present and we would like to speak to anyone who saw masked males behaving suspiciously outside the house shortly before the break-in or four men fleeing from the scene.

“Anyone who has information is asked to contact Huddersfield CID on 101 or the Crimestoppers charity, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”

In unrelated investigations, police would like to speak to the people pictured in the image gallery below. The people pictured in the images may be witnesses as well as suspects. If you recognise anyone, contact police on 101 quoting the reference number on the image caption.