An elderly couple from Rayne were violently threatened at knife point last night (February 20), after three men broke into their home in Queenborough Lane.
The aggravated burglary occurred when the men called at the house between 5.40pm and 6.15pm and then forced their way into the property when the couple answered the door.
Once inside they threatened them with a knife and the man, who is in his 70s, was also assaulted. The suspects then quickly searched the property before stealing a wad of cash.
The male victim was taken to hospital for a check-up but was not seriously injured. The suspects were all relatively short and were wearing black balaclavas and gloves.
One was wearing jogging bottoms with white stripes down the side and another was wearing a Nike jacket. They left the location in a dark coloured saloon vehicle.
Detective Sergeant Mark Cadd, of Braintree Police, said: "This was an extremely traumatic incident for our victims.
"To have the safety of your own home invaded and then be threatened and assaulted in this manner is extremely distressing and I am determined to find and arrest these people as soon as possible."
Anyone with information is asked to call Braintree CID on 101 or ring Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
