A group of three or four suspects entered the house in Parkstone Avenue, in the Emerson Park area, via their back door on Saturday evening between 8.30pm and 9pm.
Fire extinguishers were let off in the faces of the elderly couple who live at the address.
The female victim was pushed to the floor and forced to stay behind a chair, as the man was questioned as to the whereabouts of any money.
A weapon, possibly a screwdriver, was used to cut his hand.
The suspects eventually left with a small amount of cash.
The woman was not physically injured, but the man was taken to hospital as a precaution.
All the suspects had their faces covered throughout and wore gloves. They spoke with what may have been Eastern European accents.
There have been no arrests at this stage and initial enquiries are ongoing.
T/DC Ciara Arthur, of the East Area Burglary and Robbery Investigation Team, said: “My colleagues and I will do everything possible to catch these criminals, and I just ask everyone local to Hornchurch to think carefully about whether you saw anything suspicious on Saturday evening.
“The streets are quiet and any suspicious behaviour would have been all the more obvious. Did you see an unusual car in a residential area, a group of men hurrying or maybe gloves or some type of face covering discarded? If so, please share your information with police.
“In addition, with so few people out and about, it is all the more likely that dashcam footage or domestic security cameras may have captured images of the three or four suspects. Please do check any footage from the local area between around 8.30pm and 9.00pm.
“I would also appeal to anyone aware of associates whom they suspect of being involved in this attack; perhaps somebody local who acquired some cash on Saturday evening. If so, please give any names to police or, to remain anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers.
“It is despicable that these callous individuals attacked an elderly couple in their home while the vast majority of Londoners are either working hard to keep each other safe or simply isolating to protect themselves and others. We will follow any evidence and all lines of inquiry in order to put those responsible before the courts.”
Any witnesses, or anyone with information that may assist police, should call 101 quoting reference CAD 6717/18ap
Tags: Havering, Hornchurch, Emerson Park
