A woman was confronted in her own home by a burglar who snatched rings from her fingers and demanded the combination to the house safe.

The victim was in her home in Denbigh Gardens, Richmond, with her two children at about 9pm on Sunday when the burglar got in through a bedroom window and confronted her.

A concerned neighbour said the woman fled the house screaming to alert a neighbour who telephoned the police. She was not hurt.

The neighbour added: "She is still in a state of trauma. Her husband had gone out for the evening and she was alone with the kids. He is now in a state of shock as well.

They can't believe that a burglar would break in and threaten them at 9pm with the lights blazing."

Police are looking for a man who was mixed race, 5ft 10in to 6ft tall, with an oval face and several days growth of stubble. He was wearing dark clothing and spoke with a strong London accent.

He escaped with valuable goods which included a quantity of jewellery and cash.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Thrower from Twickenham crime squad on 020 8247 7033 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting crime reference number 0710813/09.