A FAMILY have been threatened with a knife after returning home to find their house being burgled.

Three men forced entry to the property in Banyard Way, Rochford, at about 8.15pm yesterday, by smashing a front door window before carrying out a messy search.

The occupants returned and found the suspects searching their property.

The suspects stole a four figure sum of cash, threatened the victims with a knife and drove off in a white Audi.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Southend CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.