Family put their home of the past 45 years on the market after house raided by a gang of men

A terrified family have fled their northeastern suburbs home, having lived in it for 45 years, after being raided by a gang.

A terrified family have fled their northeastern suburbs home after being raided by a gang of balaclava-clad men armed with machetes, baseball bats and possibly guns.

The family, who do not want to be identified, refused to return home after the frightening break-in early on August 17 and have been living with a relative.

Now, they have decided to put their home of the past 45 years on the market.

CCTV footage of the attempted robbery shows four intruders wielding their weapons inside the family’s kitchen and living room and trying to gain access to bedrooms. The homeowners’ adult son, who was the only person in the house at the time, was woken by smashing glass about 1.35am andrang police on their 131 444 phone line, believing it would get through quickly to officers on the road.

The victim’s family have decided to put their home of the past 45 years on the market. Picture: Supplied

Adding to the distress was the alleged attitude of the police officer who answered that frantic call. Picture: Supplied

Adding to the distress was the alleged attitude of the police officer who answered that frantic call as the machete-wielding men gained access to their house.

The man’s mum said the officer was suspicious and wasted valuable time warning her petrified son that he would be charged with fraud if it was a prank. “He was saying ‘If you are bulls---ting, we’re going to charge you with fraud’,” said the man’s mother, who was holidaying overseas with her husband at the time.

“It took five minutes to convince them. He was very upset, he was saying ‘I need help now, I’m locked in my bedroom. I can see four people with machetes and baseball bats in my house’.

“I think it’s absolutely disgusting the way he was treated when calling out for help.

“I know people do silly things but if someone is calling out for help and telling you what’s happening, the police need to take that seriously. We’re just lucky our son wasn’t hurt.”

She said the intruders gained access to the renovated kitchen and lounge area by smashing a glass door with their machetes, but were foiled by a heavy door that stopped them from entering the main area of the property.

But she said one of the masked men could be heard on the video footage saying that he would “be able to get through that next time”.

“It makes us scared that they are planning to come back,” she said. “Going through the footage, it looks like two of them had guns.”

She said the family could not return to the home, which her husband bought 45 years ago and in which they raised their two children, and was putting it on the market.

“We’ve made the decision to vacate and we’re looking for another property,” she said. “Our house will go on the market in the next two weeks. I couldn’t feel comfortable going back. There’s no way I’m staying there; I’m too stressed and anxious.”

A police spokesman said a call for help was received at 1.38am and “a number” of police patrols arrived at the home at 2am.

“Despite the prompt police response and immediate investigation into the incident reported by the complainant, unfortunately no suspects have been identified,” he said.