Four people including children were left badly shaken after masked robbers broke into their home in west Suffolk and threatened them with screwdrivers before demanding cash and jewellery.
Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened in the village of Great Cornard, near Sudbury on Monday, September 11.
At around 9pm three men entered the house, on Highbury Way, threatened the four occupants with screwdrivers and asked for cash and property.
In what police are treating as an isolated incident, the victims were made to sit in a room together while the offenders searched the house.
One of the men snatched a gold chain from one of the occupants, a woman, and also took her earrings.
A large quantity of cash, four iPhones and a silver ladies Rolex watch were also stolen.
The men then left via the back door and are thought to have ran off in the direction of The Drift at approximately 9.45pm.
A police spokesman said the victims were badly shaken by the incident but were not injured.
Two of the offenders are described as speaking with an Eastern European accent.
The third man spoke with an English accent.
All three men wore balaclavas throughout the incident.
The police spokesman said they are not linking the attack to any other crimes at this point.
He added: “Thankfully these types of incident are extremely rare and we believe this (the Cornard robbery) to be an isolated incident.”
Pam White, chairman of Great Cornard Parish Council, described the attack as “shocking” in what it usually a quiet village.
She also moved to reassure residents that the area is a relatively safe place to live.
She added: “We get the occasional incident or argument but thankfully we don’t usually get anything like this around here.
“It’s quite shocking to think of that happening in Cornard.”
Anybody who saw anything suspicious at the time of the robbery or has any information is asked to call DC 1960 Hughes in CID West on 101 reference 60183/17.
Alternatively they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here