Police are hunting three masked thieves who broke into a home in Prestwich and threatened a family, including an 11-year-old boy, with knives.
All three are described as having Salford accents.
At around 7.10pm on Saturday 30 January the victims, a 33-year-old women, a 19-year-old man, a 40-year-old woman and an 11-year-old boy were in their house on Heywood Road when three knife-wielding men wearing balaclavas burst in through the back door.
They threatened to stab the terrified family if they did not follow instructions.
One even threatened the young boy with a knife, forcing all four into a back bedroom while the other two offenders tore the house apart looking for valuables.
Having stolen the victim’s keys, all three men then drove off in a Seat Leon with the registration plate MT15 XVV.
The first offender is described as Asian, around 5ft 7in to 5ft 9in tall, with a stocky build and spoke with a Salford accent. He was wearing a navy tracksuit and a scarf over his face.
The second offender is described as white, around 6ft tall and also spoke with a Salford accent. He was wearing a black North Face jacket and had his face covered.
The third offender is white, around 5ft 11in tall, spoke with a Salford accent and also had his face covered.
Detective Inspector Charlotte Cadden said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for all of the victims, but particularly the little boy, who has been left utterly traumatised by the incident.
“We have put extra patrols in place in an attempt to reassurance the community, and we are obviously looking for the public’s help to trace the stolen vehicle.
“The car is still outstanding, so if you see a white Seat Leon with the registration number MT15 XVV, please call police immediately.
“Similarly, if you were in the area at the time of the incident and saw anything suspicious, please call police as a matter of urgency.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
