POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a burglary in Stanford-le-Hope in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Three men broke into the house on Conrad Road at 5am.

The owner was alerted to the intruders downstairs after his dog began barking.

As the 36-year-old man walked downstairs he was confronted by the men, one of whom threatened him with a knife he had taken from the kitchen.

The three men ran out of the house after stealing a designer watch, car keys, and mobiles phones.

Investigating officer DC Nick Phillips said: “Due to the time of day conditions were dark so we have been unable to gain any quality descriptions of either the men or their getaway car.

“However everyone can see just how callous this attack was.

“There were little kids in the house and they’ve now asked to live with relatives because they are too scared to stay with their parents.

“These men should be ashamed of themselves.”

The men are described as white, approximately 6ft tall and of medium build.

Police are urging anybody who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the vicinity of the three nearby schools, or anyone who saw a dark car speed off in the direction of the A13 to contact Tilbury Police Station on 0300 333 44 44.