Bridgwater burglary: Masked man tied up Somerset woman and her child in 'horrific' sexual assault

Avon and Somerset police are hunting for a man who tied up a mother and daughter in their Bridgwater home in a "horrific" sexual assault.

The man entered the home in the Dunwear Lane area of Sydenham through an unlocked door between 7.50am and 8.15am on 21 January before he tied up a woman and her child and threatened them with a knife. A sexual assault then took place.

He demanded money and jewellery but is thought to have left the house empty-handed before fleeing on foot.

He is described as white, between 25 and 60 years old, wearing a yellow high vis fluorescent jacket and was wearing a balaclava-style mask.

The suspect was also wearing dark coloured tracksuit trousers with an elasticated bottom and white trainers.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Andy Williams said: "We're treating this as an horrific incident in which a mother and her child were tied up and threatened at knifepoint by an unknown man.

"An offence of this gravity will naturally cause concern in the local community and I'd like to reassure people that we've got a team of experienced detectives and officers working on the case.

"We're looking after the victims who've been through an horrendous ordeal and are giving them all the help and support they need.

"During the course of our inquiry we've carried out house-to-house enquiries at more than 250 properties and are following up on any leads resulting from these visits.

"It's likely there will be an ongoing police presence as we continue making enquiries to piece together what happened.

Information should be given to police on 101, quoting 207 of today (05/02) or to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.