A couple were violently attacked by three masked men in a robbery at their Bradford home.

The raiders broke into the bungalow on Hindley Walk, Horton Bank Top, shortly after midnight on Sunday.

They assaulted the occupants, a 51-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman, and demanded money before fleeing with car keys and cigarettes.

The shaken male victim, who had a black eye and appeared to have stitches over one eye, declined to speak in detail about the attack to the Telegraph & Argus yesterday, but he did say: “They won’t catch them anyway because they had balaclavas on.”

He added that no vehicles were stolen, despite the robbers taking car keys in the raid.

Police said the couple suffered cuts and grazes and did not need hospital treatment.

The front door of the pebble-dash property had a hole in it and showed signs of forced entry.

Locals said they could not understand why the unremarkable-looking house was targeted, saying the couple are not known to be particularly wealthy.

Detective Constable Gary Birch, of Bradford South CID, said: “This was a violent and seemingly premeditated attack on an unsuspecting couple.

"They were both subject to unprovoked assaults and it is vital that we quickly identify those responsible and bring them to justice.

”Someone may have seen these men entering the premises or making away on foot in the direction of Great Horton Road.

“CCTV work is currently taking place within the local area and officers are conducting house-to-house inquiries.”

The robbers are believed to be white, aged in their late 20s, and between 5ft 8ins and 6ft tall. All three had local accents and were wearing blue jeans and dark tops.

Any witnesses or anyone with information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.