An 11-year-old boy was taken hostage during a burglary at a family home in Chislehurst in south-east London.
A rmed with a crowbar, one of the four suspects smashed a patio door before they enter the property.
They raid was caught on CCTV.
Once inside, one of the men grabbed an 11-year-old boy from the lounge and dragged him through the hallway to where the rest of the family were sitting.
Another man squirted an 81-year-old man in the face with a liquid believed at the time to be corrosive substance.
Brandishing hammers and a crowbar they threatened the family, demanding to know where their money and jewellery was kept.
As one of the suspects threatened to take the victims’ mobile phones from them, the others searched the house.
One of the men grabbed a teenage girl and dragged her upstairs before demanding to know where the jewellery was.
Another victim was able to call a family member who then alerted police.
The burglars eventually fled with the girl’s black school bag which was filled with jewellery.
Described as four stocky white men with Irish accents, they are believed to have escaped in a silver Mercedes.
They were all wearing Converse All Star style trainers, baseball caps and puffa jackets. It is believed they are in their mid-20s.
Police said the men are believed to be responsible for a number of burglaries in the Chislehurst area in which the homes were broken into through the rear after the doorbell was rung.
Detective Constable Ben Briselden, from Bromley Burglary Squad, said: “This was a terrifying burglary where a family were at home enjoying their evening and were threatened, and attacked, by four men who then stole their most valued possessions, which were of great sentimental value.
“We would urge anyone with information about this burglary to get in touch as soon as possible.”
