Burglars who forced their way into their victim’s homes cleaned up after themselves to remove forensic evidence.

And in one chilling break-in, the robbers poured cleaning fluid onto their victims – with some going into a woman’s eyes.

In the first theft, shortly after midnight on Thursday, April 11 , five armed, masked men broke into a house in Dimsdale Drive, Enfield.

The men, who were armed with screwdrivers and a crowbar, took jewellery, cash and mobile phones from the victims.

Before leaving, the burglars sprayed cleaning fluid onto the door handles and floor.

On April 27 after 10pm, six masked men threatened a couple in their 60s with a crowbar at their address in Hedge Lane.

The armed thieves stole jewellery, including gold Indian Bangles, a pair of diamond earrings and a gold chain, before cleaning internal doors and floors and leaving.

The third burglary occurred on April 29 at 5.10pm, at a 61-year-old woman’s house in South Street, Enfield.

The woman was alone at home when a man knocked on her door and claimed he needed to fix the sink. At that point, two further men appeared who forced their way inside.

The woman was threatened with a screwdriver while the men stole jewellery, including bangles worth thousands of pounds. Again, suspects cleaned the premises before leaving.

Suspects also broke into a house on Great Cambridge Road on April 29 shortly after 5pm. Four men wearing bandanas and covering their faces forced their way into the home.

The thieves poured cleaning fluid onto the victims, with some going into the eyes of the female occupant. She did not require hospital treatment. The suspects left the scene in a black Mercedes car.

All suspects have been described as white with Irish accents.

No arrests have been made.

Detective Inspector Paul Ridley from north area, who is leading the investigation, said: “These are very frightening attacks against people of all ages who were confronted in their homes by a group of armed men. They have stolen a large quantity of property from the victims and were not afraid to use violence.”

“All of these burglaries targeted high value gold and I would strongly recommend that residents review their home security.”

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact North Area CID via 101 quoting Operation Panamera, or by tweeting @MetCC.

Information can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.