A masked man brandishing a fake handgun forced his way into an Eynesbury home yesterday (Tuesday).

Cambridgeshire police said the gunman struck the home in Parker Close at just before 7.15am. He forced his way into the property and then forced a female victim to the floor.

He was carrying what is believed to be a grey replica handgun and demanded money but made off empty-handed.

A team of armed police were sent to the scene but the suspect was believed to have already escaped in the direction of Cook Drive.

Neighbour Sam Ayrton said: “It’s just scary to think if he had knocked on another door and it could have been me, especially with two young kids in the house. It was alarming enough having an armed policeman at the door.”

She said she heard a woman scream, followed by a loud bang.

The victim, who is in her 40s, was not injured but was very shaken and upset.

The gunman was described as black, 5ft 6in to 5ft 9in with a slim and athletic build and is aged in his late teens or early 20s.

He was wearing a grey or light blue zip-up hooded top and appeared to be wearing a homemade balaclava that was red, black and green.

He was also carrying a black and red rucksack and wore blue gloves.

The incident caused nearby Apricot Day Nursery to be on lockdown for about an hour on both of its sites – at Longsands College, Longsands Road and at Priory Park Infant School in Almond Road.

Jeanette Cosgrave, nursery manager, said that they were told about the incident by the headteacher at Priory Park Infant School, which was also on lockdown.

She said: “There is so much in the news about it, not so much in this country but in other countries, that you just put all the processes and procedures into action.”

It involved keeping the children inside with all the doors, windows, and the gates locked.

She said that the atmosphere was “very calm”.

INFORMATION: Anyone with information about the man should contact Det Sgt Iain Moor on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.