A family were threatened in their home by thieves who demanded cash and then stole their car.

The couple and their two young children, aged six and 11, were sitting in their living room when they heard a loud bang from their kitchen.

The mother got up to investigate but before she got to the door, two men burst into the room.

They demanded money from the terrified family and threatened them if they did not hand over whatever they had.

But when the mother checked her purse she found it empty.

Her husband handed over the keys to one of their cars instead and the men left.

They fled and took the vehicle, a silver Citroen C1, which was parked on the driveway outside the house in Ettrick Road, Chichester.

The shocked couple then called the police.

The sickening incident happened at about 8.30pm on Saturday.

It is thought that the men got into the house through an unlocked kitchen door.

No one was injured but the family was left badly shaken.

The car, which had Proswitch Inventory Services written down its side, was found a few hours later abandoned on the westbound carriageway of the A27 near the Fishbourne roundabout.

It had damage to its front and passenger side.

Yesterday police would not confirm what threats were made to the family as they did not want to scare people living in the area.

But officers did make clear that the motive behind the attack was unknown and it appeared to have been random.

Detective constable Michael McKee said: “This type of incident is extremely rare and it is likely that someone knows someone involved or has heard someone talking about this.

“If this is the case I would ask them to contact the police with the information.”

The intruders are described as white, aged between 20 and 30 and between 5ft10 and 6ft.

One was wearing a grey hooded top and the other was dressed in dark clothing.

Anyone with information should call Chichester CID on 0845 60 70 999, quoting reference 1596 of April 11.