A 47-year-old man was stabbed multiple times in his home by three burglars as he tried to protect his family, police have said.

The man, named locally as Tony Abrahams, is believed to have been awoken by a noise after the men forced their way into the house on Wellfield Avenue in Luton whilst his family slept.

When he went downstairs to investigate, he was stabbed three times by the intruders at around 3.25am on Saturday morning. The men then fled on foot.

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Mr Abrahams was taken to Luton and Dunstable Hospital after his wife and daughter raised the alarm. He is said to be in a serious but stable condition.

The East England Ambulance Service has said the injuries were not thought to be “immediately life-threatening”.

Detective Constable Mo Hussain said he is keen to hear from any witnesses who may have been in the area at the time or may have seen the three offenders either before or after the attack.

“This was an appalling attack on a family man within his own home and I would urge anyone with information to come forward and speak with us," he said.

“While the victim has suffered some very nasty injuries, he is in a stable condition and has responded very well to treatment.”

The first suspect is a five feet one inch tall black male with light skin. The second offender was a black male, five feet ten inches tall. The third was a black male whose height is unknown. All three were around 20 years old.