DETECTIVES investigating a burglary in which four masked men burst into a family’s home and threatened them with crowbars have released a photo of one of the six shotguns that were stolen in the raid.

Police said the gang, who were of Asian appearance, also stole a rifle and a collection of expensive jewellery from the house in High Birstwith, near Harrogate, at around 5.15pm on Friday, December 6.

The men left the scene in the family’s white Porsche 911, which was later found abandoned nearby on White Wall Lane, in Tang.

Since the incident was reported officers have been making extensive enquiries at the family home and in the surrounding area and are following a number of lines of investigation.

The items of stolen jewellery include a 9.77 carat pear-cut platinum claw set solitaire ring, a men’s 18 carat white gold Patek Philippe Grand Complication Chronograph watch, and a pair of 18 carat gold and 8.58 carat brilliant cut diamond claw set earrings.

Detective Inspector Andrea Kell said the householders had been left traumatised by the incident.

She said “It was a horrible experience for them to go through and we are determined to find out who was responsible.

“It is important that the stolen shotguns are located as soon as possible as they could be dangerous in the hands of someone who doesn’t know how to use them properly.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.