About 1am on Monday, a 67-year-old was asleep in his Kentucky St home when he was woken by a man armed with a knife in his bedroom.

He called out and a 48-year-old man, who was in another room, came to help.

He was threatened by the intruder who then slashed the 48-year-old, causing a laceration to his neck.

New England Acting Inspector Matthew Crotty told Fairfax Media the offender ran from the scene, and police and Ambulance officers were alerted.

“The 48-year-old man was assessed at the scene by paramedics for a laceration to his neck and he was conveyed to Armidale hospital,” he said.

“He has since been released from hospital.”

A crime scene was cordoned off at the home and detectives called in to investigate.

“This is a serious incident and we are treating it very seriously with a number of resources involved in the investigation,” Acting Inspector Crotty said.

“Police work in partnership with the community and we are appealing for members of the community to help us.

“So anyone who might have seen or heard anything in the Kentucky St area to come forward.

“Anyone who might have been driving past about 1am on Monday or who might have seen a man dressed in dark clothing in the vicinity, we would urge them to contact Armidale detectives.”

Police confirmed the intruder stole goods as he fled the scene.

“The offender fled the house and left the area in an unknown direction,” Acting Inspector Crotty said.

“He stole a wallet and other electronic items from the home.”

Detectives and police have spent the morning door knocking the neighbourhood while forensics combed the house.

Police said the intruder is described as being aged in his mid-to-late 20s with dark skin, scruffy black hair and a beard.

“He is believed to be of average height and build and was last seen wearing dark clothing,” Acting Inspector Crotty said.

Anyone with information should contact Armidale detectives on 6771 0699.