MASKED burglars – one armed with a metal pole – forced their way into a Northwich home and attacked a teenage boy on Sunday afternoon.

Police officers are appealing for information on the aggravated burglary, which took place in Royle Street around 2.30pm.

A man and woman were in the kitchen of their home with their teenage son upstairs in bed, when a knock came on the door.

Upon opening the door the man was confronted by three unknown men. The offenders all had their faces covered and one of them was armed with a metal pole.

The men pushed the victim to the floor and forced their way into the address, shouting ‘where’s the money?’

Upon hearing the commotion the victims’ son came downstairs, where he was also assaulted by one of the men.

An offender then stood with the three victims while the other two men conducted an untidy search of the address and stole a quantity of cash, watches and two mobile phones.

The men then left the address and fled the scene in a black/grey car, which first travelled onto Allen Street and then Middlewich Road.

DC Chris Percival said: “Thankfully the victims in this case did not sustain any serious injuries as a result of their ordeal.

“However, understandably they have been left extremely shaken up and we are committed to doing all that we can to trace the men responsible and bring them to justice.

“Enquiries in relation to the incident are ongoing and I am keen to hear from anyone with any information, no matter how small, which may assist our investigation.

“This incident took place in broad daylight and I believe there would have been a number of people in the area who may hold vital information.

“I am particularly keen to hear from anyone with any CCTV footage or any drivers with dashcam footage who were driving on Royle Street, Allen Street or Middlewich Road between 2.15pm and 3pm on Sunday, March 17.

“I ask anyone with any information or footage that may be relevant to our investigation to contact the team here at Northwich on 101, quoting IML 349527.”

Information can also be passed online here or anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.

Dashcam footage can be submitted online here.