Four men ransacked a house in east Belfast before making off with a sum of money.

A family were forced from their bedrooms and made to stay in one room while their home was ransacked in east Belfast.

An older man and his three adult children were in the property in the Dunraven Avenue area when the incident happened on Tuesday night at around 8.30pm.

The father was kept in the living room while two women in their 50s and a man in his 60s were brought downstairs from their bedrooms. They were all made to stay in the one room, while the men went through the house.

No-one was injured although the family has been left in shock. The men left the house with a sum of money.

Detective Sergeant Keith Wilson said: "All four men are described as being in their 20s. One of them was 6ft tall and wore a black coat and jeans. He also had a black scarf over his face and a green, army-style baseball cap with a flat peak. He wore black gloves and was carrying a long, yellow-handled screwdriver.

“We would like to hear from anyone who has any information that could help with our investigation or who saw suspicious activity in the area. Please get in touch with police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 1203 of 9/1/18.

“Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.”

Belfast Telegraph