Intruders demanded money from a woman in her house.

Police are appealing for information following the incident in The Rise, off Hermitage Lane, East Grinstead, in the early hours of January 23.

The 40-year-old homeowner woke shortly after midnight to find two or three men in her house.

They demanded money but she did not have any so she called her 18-year-old son.

He came over from a nearby address but also did not have what the men wanted.

The son was punched in the stomach and he sustained a minor facial injury.

The men left, taking with them the woman’s mobile phone and a number of pieces of designer clothing.

There was no sign of forced entry, no weapons and no vehicle was seen.

Detective Constable Rebecca Buckley said: “The circumstances are not yet clear but at this stage it seems possible that it was not a random incident.”

Email police on 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101, quoting serial 147 of January 23.