A masked gang forced their way into a Huddersfield man’s home before stabbing him in the leg.

Detectives today made public what happened at Clara Street, Cowlersley, on Friday, December 23, to appeal for witnesses to come forward with information.

During the ordeal, the victim opened his door at around 5.40pm to be confronted by a gang of four men wearing balaclavas who forced their way in.

The gang searched his home and threatened him before demanding cash.

During the burglary one of the gang took a knife from the kitchen and stabbed the man in the thigh.

Fortunately the victim’s friends then arrived and were able to help him get medical treatment.

They also tried to intervene with the gang outside the house.

But the gang fled with car keys and a mobile phone.

Detectives believe the same gang returned later the same day and found the house locked.

They broke in through a kitchen window and searched the house before stealing a safe.

They fled the scene on foot along Clara Street towards Craven Street where it is thought they got into a vehicle.

Detective Constable Kris Roberts, of Kirklees CID, said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for the victim and his friends, who are still coming to terms with what happened just before Christmas last year.

“These suspects were violent and made off from the property with several items and left the victim with an injury to his leg and extremely distressed.

“Anyone who may have been in the area at the time and witnessed anything or has any information is asked to come forward to the police to assist with our enquiries.”

The suspects are described as two white males, one with a ginger beard and then two black or Asian males.

One of the black or Asian males was described as 5ft 7in tall, of slim build and around 25-30 years of age. He was wearing a black waist length coat with a zip and a hood, black tracksuit bottoms and a mask covering the lower half of his face.

Another suspect was described as wearing a light grey waterproof jacket with Adidas tracksuit bottoms and a brown full face mask.

Anyone with information should contact Det Con Roberts at Kirklees CID via 101, quoting crime reference 13160751357 or Crimestoppers 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.