Police said a man broke into five homes in Merrylands between 4am and 6am today and was allegedly confronted by residents in several of them, leading to one suffering a minor injury from a knife the man was carrying.

In two of the separate home invasions, women in their 80s were allegedly assaulted.

At one of the homes, police allege the man produced a knife and attempted to sexually assault one of the women.

At a second home, the man allegedly sexually touched another woman.

“Police will allege that at one of the locations, the occupant of the premises confronted a male offender in his home,” Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty said.

“The male offender then had a short struggle with that occupant, and police will allege that at that time the offender produced a knife, which caused an injury to the occupant of the premises.”

She said the homeowner then stepped away and began filming the offender as he attempted to enter the house.

“Police will then allege that at another premises, an occupant confronted the man, when she heard him in her home,” Doherty said.

She asked the man to leave her home, and police will allege she was then indecently assaulted before he left her home.

“Another occupant of a different premises awoke and confronted a male at his home attempting to break in, and another struggle ensued,” Doherty said.

“Police will allege that at that time, the offender lost his shoe, and ran away from the premises.

“At another location, an elderly female was in bed, and she awoke to the offender climbing into her bed.

“Police will allege that he then held a knife to her throat, demanding sex.

“We will further allege that he attempted to sexually assault that female before he left the premises.”

Crime scenes have been established at each home, and an investigation into the attacks is underway.

The man was described to police as being tall, with a slender build and dark skin.

He was said to be aged in his 20s, and softly spoken.

The man may have sustained a slight injury that could be bleeding.

Anyone with information about the incident has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers.