A TERRIFIED mother-of-two says she is thankful her children were unharmed after a trio of masked thieves broke into her home and stole valuable items.

Victoria Reeve and her husband Adrian Pead were both sleeping at their home on Pearson Road, Sonning, when the men used a ladder from a neighbouring garden to climb through their daughter's bedroom window in the early hours on September 27.

As well as grabbing thousands of pounds in cash, the raiders stole expensive jewellery and made their escape after stealing Mr Pead's Audi Q7, which was later found abandoned in Sonning Lane.

The men, who carried hammers and an axe, attacked the father, who suffered bruising as a result.

The mother, along with her seven-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son, were all unharmed.

Mrs Reeve said: "It has been absolutely horrific. As a parent, when you shut your door at night, you expect your home to be safe. I know I have not let my kids down, but I feel like I was not able to keep them safe.

"Knowing that we are all alive is the one thing keeping me going. We have got our lives and that is the main thing.

"My husband's reaction was to close the door. We thought they were coming for us. They pushed Adrian to the floor and shouted at us, asking for all the usual things.

"One came round my side of the bed and put his hand over my mouth to stop me from screaming. Then they went into my son's room and asked him if he had a mobile phone, which he doesn't."

The trio stole a large quantity of cash - thought to be in the region of £7,000 to £10,000 - jewellery, passports and a platinum watch.

Some of the items stolen were personalised pieces of jewellery, including a tennis bracelet and a necklace.

They then asked where the car keys were kept and used the family's Audi to flee the scene.

The 42-year-old mother added: "They drove towards Blue Coat School and we think they had someone waiting for them in a getaway car.

"It was really hard for my husband, having someone hold a hammer to his head when one of them was in our son's bedroom.

"It could have been so much worse and we tried to do what we thought was right by giving them what they wanted. I have been staying at a friends house because I am not comfortable in my own home.

"Sometimes I am really angry and then I am really emotional. I was frozen with fear.

"The police have said that we were just the unlucky people that night."

The first man is described as white, 5ft 9ins, and of medium build. He was wearing a tracksuit with his hood up and a face covering.

The second offender is black 5ft 8ins, of medium build. He had his hood up, was wearing a face covering and gloves.

No description is currently available for the third offender. All of the offenders were wearing masks and gloves.

Detective constable Craig Cole, of Force CID based at Newbury police station, said: “We are working to identify and locate the offenders who entered a family home and stole a number of high value items.

“I appreciate incidents of this nature can cause concern and patrols are taking place in the area while we investigate.

"If you have any information or saw anything suspicious in the area at around the time of the offence please call police as we would like to speak to you.”

Call the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101 quoting the reference ‘43180294762’ if you can help.

If you do not want to speak to police, please call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.