Three men left a botched drug robbery empty-handed after hitting an innocent resident in the face.

At 4.30pm on Thursday December 4 a man knocked on the door of a house in The Gilligans, Burgess Hill.

When the door was opened by the 24-year old occupant, the man struck him in the face and forced him inside.

The attacker was joined by two others.

They demanded drugs and searched the house, finding nothing, and then left.

Nothing was stolen and the occupant was shaken but did not require hospital treatment.

All three men are described as white and in their 20s, wearing dark clothing.

One wore a black scarf round his mouth, and a beanie hat.

A white Transit-type van was seen parked nearby at the time and enquiries are being carried out to see if that was connected with the three men.

Detective Constable Phil Peadon said: "This trio were clearly acting on wrong information as there were no drugs in the house and there is no suggestion that the people living there have any connection with drug dealing.

"If you were in the area on Thursday afternoon and saw anything suspicious, please contact us via 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101 quoting serial 1015 of 04/12. You can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."