A NEW Forest woman fought off two masked intruders who tried to restrain her while searching her home.

The men knocked on the door of their 25-year-old victim's flat in Rookcliffe Way, Milford on Sea, at around 7.10pm on Monday (MAR 16).

When she answered the door they entered the flat and one restrained her while the other began to search the premises, in what police say may have been a case of mistaken identity.

However the victim managed to fight back, biting and scratching her assailant and alerting a neighbour, and both men left the address empty handed.

Detective Constable Dal Andrews said: “We suspect this was potentially a case of mistaken identity and that the offenders were intending to target someone else, most likely someone known to them.

"This was a distressing and unprovoked incident for a woman who was alone in her own property. She bravely fought back and managed to bite and scratch the man who was restraining her."

The victim suffered minor injuries in the attack,

Hampshire Police are appealing for information on the incident.

The men were wearing balaclavas and gloves. One was wearing a black hoody, was around five feet ten inches tall, of skinny build and aged between 25 and 30. The other man was wearing a dark-coloured hoody and was of stocky build.

Police believe one suspect would have bite and scratch marks to his hands and face, and are also keen to hear of any suspicious vehicles in the vicinity at the time the incident occurred.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact DC Andrews at Southampton police station by calling 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.