Four intruders burst into a home when one of the occupants answered the front door to them this morning.
The gang forced the victim, who is understood to be a woman, back into the house in Uppingham Road, Evington, Leicester in what police are treating as an 'aggravated' burglary.
Police said the victim was not injured.
It was unclear this morning whether any other people were present in the detached property during the raid or whether anything was taken.
The house was cordoned off and officers were visiting neighbouring homes in a search for witnesses.
A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said officers were called to the house, which is near the junction with Spencefield Lane, shortly before 9.45am.
She said: "The occupant of the house answered the door to four men who forced their way into the property.
"The victim wasn't injured and no weapons were seen during the incident.
"The investigation is in its very early stages and officers are in the process of taking statements and carrying out house to house inquiries.
"The house has been cordoned off to allow for a forensic examination to take place."
Information about the incident can be passed to Leicestershire Police on 101 or via Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.
