Geraldine Winner was hit on the head and forced to hand over her jewellery in the frightening incident on Friday (09Oct15), editors at the MailOnline.com report.

The two thieves - a man and woman - are alleged to have broken into the $6.4 million (£4 million) penthouse in west London after hiding in one of the building's communal gardens.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirms an investigation has been started in a bid to track down the culprits, adding, "Nobody has been arrested at present and the investigation is ongoing."

The Death Wish director died in January, 2013 aged 77. After his death, Geraldine described her husband as "a wonderful man, brilliant, funny and generous".