A couple and their two children in Ramsgate have been the victims of a terrifying break-in at their home by four armed men.
The couple, who have asked not to be named, say they were watching TV in their property in the Paragon with their two children aged six and 10 in their own bedrooms, when there was a banging on the door.
The mum said: “My little boy was still awake and I got up in case he answered it. Before we knew it the door was getting kicked in and within ten seconds they were in the house.
“I ran into the bedroom with my youngest boy but couldn’t get to my eldest who was in his room.
“There were four men, three with knives and one with an axe, and they charged at my partner and demanded money.
‘Looking for money’
“He said three men took him from room to room looking for money. One tried to get into my son’s bedroom -where we were – but I was sat against the door and had pushed furniture against it. I think once the man realised there was a child in there that was why he stopped trying to get in.
“He went upstairs to my oldest son’s room and told him to lie down. My son said that he did that and then the man left the room and shut the door.
“They took my partner into every room in the house. In the living room he said it was like they knew where they were going and they took his business float money. They took the children’s Tablets and they took the phones.
“It was petrifying. I could hear them. One had my partner on the floor and the others shouted ‘stab him.’ He thought he was going to get a knife in him.
“It all happened so quickly, maybe four or five minutes.”
When the raiders left the couple called police who boarded up the smashed in door and attempted to find prints in the house.
The incident happened on Tuesday, June 5 at 10.30pm.
Exactly a week later a similar incident took place in Royal Road, Ramsgate. Police have not confirmed a link but say officers would look at ‘comparisons’ in any similar cases.
Appeal line
A Kent Police spokesman said: “Kent Police is investigating the reported burglary of a residential address in the Ramsgate harbour area, between 10.30pm and 11pm on Tuesday 5 June.
“It was reported that four men broke into the property while the occupants were home and threatened them with weapons.
“Nobody was injured during the incident but cash and personal possessions were reported stolen.”
Witnesses or anyone with information is urged to call the appeal line on 01843 222289 quoting reference ZY/31230/18. Alternatively call Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.