Masked gang attack family in home

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A man was attacked by a gang in his home as he sat watching television with his children, police have revealed.

A spokesman said the man's 14-year-old daughter received minor injuries during the raid in which the thieves escaped with an £18,000 Rolex watch.

Four men in balaclavas broke into the house in Lasswade Road, Edinburgh, at about 2200 GMT on Thursday.

Det Sgt Bob Williamson said the man managed to arm himself in an effort to protect his daughter and two sons.

The boys were aged seven and two.

Police revealed that the Rolex watch was a Datejust model with a red face, diamond bezel and gold bracelet.

This was clearly a shocking and terrifying incident witnessed by very young children who have been left frightened and traumatised Det Sgt Bob Williamson

The gang escaped in the direction of The Murrays area in a silver four-door saloon car believed to be either a BMW or Mercedes.

Det Sgt Williamson said: "This was clearly a shocking and terrifying incident witnessed by very young children who have been left frightened and traumatised".

He added that it was only the quick actions of the 38-year-old victim in his attempts to protect the lives of his children that prevented a more serious outcome.

"It is vital that the persons responsible for this attack are apprehended and we would appeal for any person with information about the culprits or the vehicle to contact the police immediately," he said.

Officers are appealing for witnesses to the incident.

They are keen to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area of Lasswade Road or who may have seen the silver vehicle with a number of men on board, particularly in the Captain's Road/ Lasswade Road area.