WILTSHIRE police have stepped up their search for the four men who broke into the Carelli household and assaulted the couple before taking money last weekend.

An e-fit of one man detectives wish to speak to in connection with the vicious attack was released last night, as the appeal for information was put out again.

The four men have been described as black, in their early to mid-20s and were wearing dark clothing when they committed the offences in Cheney Manor Road.

Detective Sergeant Tom Straker said: “I am urging the public to contact us if they know anything about this incident.

“No one should have to go through the ordeal that this elderly couple endured on Sunday night in their own home.

“I’d like to reiterate that we are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have seen four men running from the house or in the surrounding area immediately after the incident last Sunday.

“We have a number of detectives working on this investigation and we are continuing to look into potential lines of enquiry.”

The incident took place at 6pm on Sunday , when the offenders forced their way in, battered Vitantonio and Carmela Carelli, and took an amount of cash.

The elderly couple, in their 70s, were hospitalised with severe facial injuries, but have since been released to recuperate at home.

Money has started coming in for the Carellis after the Adver launched its appeal to raise funds for the pair as a gesture of goodwill to reimburse some of the money taken.

Costcutter, in Cheney Manor Road, has proved the most popular of the locations with collection boxes, but Grant’s Cafe, in Rodbourne Road, is also holding its own. Carrie and Iain Grant joined the cause on Wednesday .

Carrie said: “We’ve had quite a few. Thursday was quite a quiet day, but all the customers that did come in have been donating.

“Everyone’s been talking about how shocked they are by it.Everybody can completely relate to them. Everyone has somebody that age who could have been affected by it.”

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact DS Straker at Swindon CID on 101. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously if preferred.