MASKED raiders threatened a householder as they tried to steal the family's car.

They forced entry to the house and demanded the keys to the vehicle, a Volkswagen 4x4.

But the shocked homeowner managed to call the police, and the three intruders fled empty-handed.

The family was left shocked, but unhurt.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in Sutton, where the incident occurred, at around 1am yesterday to get in touch.

And they are warning other owners of high-performance cars to be vigilant.

The incident is the latest in a series where burglars are specifically targeting properties that have vehicles such as BMWs, Audis and Mercedes parked outside, in a bid to steal the keys.

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Ellis, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "If you own a high-performance car, please ensure that you take all steps necessary to keep your vehicle locked and secure when at home.

"Burglars will look for easy targets and will check firstly for insecure properties and vehicles, so it’s advisable before you go to bed each evening to ensure that your car is safe, the keys are secure and all your doors and windows are closed and locked.

"The more difficult you can make if for potential burglars, the less likely they are to strike.

"Also, don’t leave any keys in view, ensure any gates are locked and – if possible – use another vehicle as a barrier to deter criminals.

"I’d also ask residents to remain vigilant for any suspicious activity. If you see anything which seems out of the ordinary, please report it to police."

Anyone with information about the Sutton incident is asked to contact the North Yorkshire Police force control room on 101, quoting reference 12190026155.