Masked gangs have been forcibly entering residential properties and have either threatened or sprayed terrified residents with a corrosive substance before escaping. These horrific incidents have been reported and span just 46 hours, the Metropolitan Police have warned. The suspects were dressed in dark clothing and wore balaclavas and gloves. Police believe they fled in a dark-coloured vehicle.

Detectives working on the case have urged residents “to be vigilant but not alarmed” by keeping doors locked and windows closed overnight as officers work “around the clock” to identify the group.

The first linked incident occurred on Wednesday, March 29, at a residence in Highfield Avenue, Brent Cross.

At around 11.14 pm, police were called to an aggravated burglary where four men had broken into the home and threatened a woman in her 40s with a knife.

An unknown substance was thrown towards the victim, but it is unknown whether any items were stolen.

A second incident took place just 25 minutes later at 11:40 pm in Flamsted Avenue, Wembley.

Four masked men forced entry into a residence and stole jewellery, but there were no reports of injuries.

On the following day, at 10:56 pm, officers responded to an aggravated burglary in Lady Margaret Road, Southall.

Four men had broken into the property armed with a knife and a screwdriver.

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They sprayed chemicals into the face of a man in his 70s and stole a safe containing cash and jewellery.

The elderly man was taken to the hospital for facial injuries but was later assessed not to be life-threatening or life-changing.

The fourth incident occurred on Friday at around 8:45 pm in Harrowdene Road, Wembley when a group of four men broke into a property and threatened the resident with chemicals.

The group stole jewellery and other items before fleeing and luckily no one was injured.

At 9.09pm on the same day, police were called to Greenford Road, Greenford, after a group of men forced entry into a residential property.

Three women were assaulted with a corrosive substance, and they were taken to the hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening or life-changing, reports claim.

The force have said they are now working tirelessly to identify the suspects behind the violent incidents.

Detective Sergeant Huss Ahmed, North West Command Unit, said: “Local people have been rightly concerned following a number of incidents that have been reported online and on social media. We of course share that concern.

“We can confirm we are treating five incidents across Wembley and Ealing as linked.

“We are advising local people to be vigilant but not alarmed – stay alert to your surroundings at night, keep doors locked and windows closed, and monitor any doorbell and security camera systems to check on any suspicious activity.

“If you have information, video or images that you think could help us, it is vital that you report it to us immediately so that we can track down and arrest the people responsible.”

No arrests have been made as of yet.

People with information are urged to call 101 or tweet @MetCC, ref CAD8586/30Mar, or to remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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