Witnesses reported seeing a red or burgundy van parked in a lay-by in Back Lane near to the address between 2-30 p.m. and 3-30 p.m. on Thursday.

Officers are also keen to speak to a man seen to approach the gates of the address before walking off up Back Lane around 3-20 p.m.

Around 7-45 p.m. up to six men wearing dark clothes and balaclavas went into an address in Back Lane, Read. They gathered the family, a man, his wife and their four children, together in one room and searched the house for valuables.

They threatened the man and woman with violence and punched the man in the head before making off with jewellery. They also stole an Audi Q7 4x4 which was recovered at 8-11 a.m. the next day in Clough Lane, Simonstone.

A team of detectives are continuing to investigate the incident and are examining CCTV footage and forensic evidence recovered from the scene.

Police are appealing to anyone who saw the red or burgundy vehicle in the area or who saw the man approaching the front gate of the address to contact them.

Anyone with information can contact police on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.