Terror as masked raiders tie up family

Detectives said last night three masked men forced their way into the family's large detached home on Linton Lane, just north of the Ridge Estate, on Tuesday evening around 6.15pm.

The masked men barged their way inside at the rear of the property before tying up two men, aged 62 and 30, and a 65-year-old woman.

The gang then took a significant amount of foreign currency as well as a number of jewellery items including high value watches, rings and earrings which detectives last night said are thought to be worth over 100,000.

After 20 minutes the gang left the house on foot leaving the grounds at the back into a farmer's field which has a dirt track back to Linton Lane.

It is believed the robbers had a vehicle close to this gated track which is located around 400 yards north of the Ridge estate on the left hand side of Linton Lane in the direction of Wetherby.

The family, who were uninjured but left badly shaken by the incident, managed to free themselves and raise the alarm.

Detectives are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen a vehicle parked close to the gated track on Linton Lane between 6 and 7pm or anyone acting suspiciously in the immediate area during recent weeks.

Police also want to hear from anyone who may have been offered high end jewellery over recent days or been asked to exchange a combination of eastern currency including the Thai Baht, South Korean Won, Hong Kong Dollar, Vietnamese Dong, Singapore Dollar and Chinese Yuan.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Sgt Freathy at Stainbeck CID via 0845 60 60 606 or call Crimestoppers anonymously and in confidence on 0800 555 111.