Cars found after home raid

Merseyside Police found the cars in Croxteth

Police hunting a gang who threatened to kill a family during a raid at their Merseyside home, have recovered two cars that were stolen.

The Volvo V70 estate and black Mercedes 4X4 were taken from the home of a couple and their two-year-old daughter, in Huyton in the early hours of Thursday.

Four men burst through the front door of the house in Campbell Drive, at about 0330 BST, and one of them, brandishing a knife, shouted "I'll cut your heads off".

An inquiry has begun in to how it took more than 30 minutes for police to respond to the incident, despite being called by a neighbour as it was taking place

Merseyside Police said the cars, worth a total of £60,000, which were recovered in the Croxteth area of Liverpool.

'Callous robbery'

The Mercedes was found abandoned on Stonebridge Lane, Croxteth and the Volvo in Valiant Close.

The Volvo is an unmarked emergency vehicle, which is used to transport human organs.

Superintendent Steve Richards said: "I would appeal for any members of the public who may have seen the cars being driven in the Croxteth area, or who may have seen them being abandoned, to contact us as soon as possible.

"The robbery carried out was particularly callous, and I would appeal to anyone who is able to help us search for the perpetrators to get in touch."

Homeowner Simon Jones was in bed with his wife Paula - with their daughter Claudia also in the room - when the raiders burst in and demanded the car keys.

'Absolutely unacceptable'

At knifepoint Mr Jones immediately handed them over, before the gang left. No-one was injured.

The 35-year-old said: "I'm just glad my little girl was in the same room as us because he could have killed her.

"I thought the police would be round straightaway but it took them more than 30 minutes to turn up."

Merseyside Police said it will be carrying out a full investigation into how long it took officers to respond.

"On the face of it, it is absolutely unacceptable that we didn't respond immediately," a spokeswoman said.