ROBBERS tied up and beat an elderly couple before escaping with cash and jewellery.

Police say three masked men broke into a large detached house, in Epping Road, Roydon, at about 4.40am yesterday (January 31).

They bound the elderly occupants with cable wire and demanded to know where their valuables were kept.

When the 80-year-old man refused to give any information he was struck in the face.

The attackers then ransacked a number of rooms before escaping with jewellery and cash.

After the robbers left the woman found some scissors and cut off the cable ties before raising the alarm.

The elderly couple were both taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, for check-ups before being allowed home.

DI Kevin Shannon of Harlow CID said: “This was a vicious attack by a group of men who used unnecessary force to rob an elderly couple. They were both left extremely shaken.

“Fortunately this is a very rare offence in this area and we want to find the people involved. We do not know exactly what was taken because the house has been badly ransacked.

“The three men were all aged between 20 and 30 and are believed to have London accents.

“We want to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in Epping Road, especially in the area between Reeves Lane and Old House Lane in the early hours of Sunday morning. We also want to hear from anyone who might have any suspicious callers asking questions in the area.”

Anyone with information should contact DC Dave Moore at Waltham Abbey CID on 0300 333 4444.