A FAMILY targeted by armed thugs have revealed thousands of pounds in cash, jewellery and family heirlooms were stolen during a terrifying burglary which saw a grandmother threatened.

During the incident, two men armed with hammers and screwdrivers smashed through the patio door at the home in Shoebury Road, Southend, and ransacked the property.

After police launched an appeal on Tuesday, the family have spoken to the Echo about the “nightmare” which has left them feeling unsafe in their own home and traumatised.

The family, who asked to remain anonymous, confirmed the crooks stole gold jewellery – some of which has been in the family for 20 years – and thousands of pounds in cash.

One member of the family, 25, said: “They smashed through the back doors and threatened my grandmother with a screwdriver and told her to sit down while they ransacked the house, looking under the floorboards for money.

“They found a four-figure sum of money and some jewellery and a lot of gold, including rings and bangles some which were Diwali gifts, some passed down and some as wedding gifts.

“She is holding up, there is a lot of family support, but it is a stressful time for us all mentally and it will take us some time to recover.”

The incident took place at 11.30am on Friday and Essex Police is urgently appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

A family-of-five live in the home, however only the grandmother was home at the time and they fear the home had been scouted by burglars who specifically targeted them while she was home alone.

“She was all alone and it is just so frustrating, it is so hard, what can we do?”, the member of the family added.

“I feel powerless, and it is so frustrating that there are people doing this, people being targeted like this is so common.

“I feel unsafe in my own home. It is just a nightmare, they came in and ripped everything apart and asked for my grandmother’s ring.

“Her English is not very good and she gave the ring to them, when they left, they blew kisses.”

A police spokesman said: “If you have any information or where in the area at the time and may have any CCTV or dashcam footage, please get in contact quoting reference 42/57883/24.”