Police are hunting masked crooks who have broken into five different properties in just 46 hours and threatened or sprayed the occupants with a corrosive substance.
Detectives think that five violent burglaries around London are linked with a group of masked men forcing their way into a residential address each time.
The incidents have taken place in Brent Cross, Harrow and Southall since Wednesday, with the latest reported in Greenford on Friday evening.