A FAMILY with young children returned home to find burglars making off with all the Christmas presents from under the tree.

The theft took place at a home in Cashes Green Road in Cainscross on the evening of Saturday December 3.

Parents and their two young children returned home at 9.50pm to find two burglars mid-way through ransacking their house.

After being caught red-handed the two startled offenders disappeared out the back door, leaving the distraught family to pick through the pieces of their ruined front room.

A police helicopter was called to the scene shortly after and a dog unit assisted officers in the search.

No arrests have yet been made and enquiries are ongoing.

Sargeant Simon Laird of Stroud Police said: “Offenders gained entry to the back of the property by smashing a door or window.

“They were disturbed by the occupants as they arrived home. As the family came through the door they found two people standing in their hallway.

“The two burglars left straight through the back door and escaped by hopping through gardens.

“Officers were deployed immediately. Police dogs were called and a police helicopter was also used.

“They stole all the Christmas presents from the house.

“This family has two young children so it must have been very distressing for them to come home to find burglars in their property.”

“This is obviously a very sad incident. But unfortunately burglaries of this kind are always a problem we have this kind of year.”

He urged vigilance and reminded people to try and leave at least one light on when they go out in the evening or night.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

If you have any information please call 101 quoting incident number 473 of December 3.

Police believe the burglary was linked to a trio of similar incidents on the same night.