Civic Gardens in Mile Cross, where robbers burst into a home and threatened the occupants before escaping with cash.

Police today urged the public to help catch two hooded men who burst into a Norwich home and threatened a terrified family with a knife and a hammer.

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In the break-in at a terraced house in Mile Cross, a family, believed to be a man, woman and a young girl, were threatened by the robbers.

The criminals then stole money from their shocked victims, before making their escape on foot.

Norfolk police have appealed for help from the public in catching the criminals responsible for what they described as an “aggravated robbery”.

They have issued descriptions of the men behind the crime, which happened in Civic Gardens on the Mile Cross estate a little after 8.30pm on Friday.

The first man was described as white, in his late 20s to early 30s and about 5ft 5ins. He was wearing a grey hoodie with a full zipper and with his hood up.

The second male was described as black and approximately 6ft. He was wearing a navy or black hoodie.

Following the crime, both the men ran off in the direction of Bignold Road.

DC Sharon Fish, from Norwich CID, said: “We believe that the occupants of this address were specifically targeted, however we would urge anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area to contact us.”

Neighbours spoke of their shock at the attack, while a local councillor said it was the sort of crime you hear about in London or Birmingham, not Norwich.

One neighbour said a couple with a young girl live in the home which was targeted, but that he had not been aware of what had happened until the next morning.

He said: “I saw a policewoman with a torch who was dusting the frame of the door, so she was probably looking for fingerprints.

“It’s a bit of a shock to hear about it because you don’t get much like that around here.

“We look out for our neighbours and it’s usually quite quiet. It’s getting a bit rougher than it used to be, but it’s not the sort of thing which happens here.”

Another neighbour in Civic Gardens said: “I know it’s Mile Cross and it’s got a bit of a reputation, but where we are here, we’re a bit cut off, so it’s generally quiet.”

Richard Edwards, Green party county councillor for Mile Cross, who lives in nearby Bowers Avenue, urged the community to help police catch the culprits.

He said: “It’s disgusting. That’s the sort of crime you hear about happening in somewhere like London or Birmingham, not Norwich.

“I’d definitely say people should call the police if they know anything. Hopefully the community will band together to help track these people down.”

The break-in comes as the Norwich Evening News launched a week-long Beat The Burglar campaign, sparked by the darker evenings traditionally leading to a spike in city burglaries.

Anyone with information about the Civic Gardens robbery should contact Norwich CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.