Mother assaulted as burglars steal barmitzvah presents from north London home

“They kicked me in the stomach. I shouted to warn my friend but they pulled her down the stairs and smashed her head against a banister which broke off from the force.

“They were pushing us down and put tape over our mouths.”

She said she believes the attackers - who also stole a £7,000 pair of sapphire earrings - were familiar with her home.

She added: “One of them kept watch while the other went upstairs. He didn’t ask me to show him where everything was. It was like he knew where everything was…

“I said: ‘Please don’t take my son’s presents’. They picked up my head by my hair and kicked me in the face…

“I looked horrible with a black eye and a swollen face. I was in agony for a week.”

Both victims now wear panic buttons around their neck.

The attackers – who have been described as black and around six foot tall - are said to have headed towards the North Circular in a black Peugeot car with a silver skull on the gear knob. They were wearing black jackets with yellow stripes on the side.

Police are appealing for anyone with information to call Barnet CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

Detective Constable Matt Beavis, of Barnet CID, said: "This was a vicious attack on two women and I would appeal for anyone who may have seen these two males in the area at the time of the incident to contact us immediately."

The burglary occurred at around 09:30hrs on Thursday, 18 June, in Thornton Way, Golders Green.

There have been no arrests.