A FAMILY has told how a “beserk” hooded youth threatened to plunge a nine-inch serrated knife into the dad, after being disturbed during a raid.

Malcolm and Maria Weems found their front door window smashed in Banyard Way, Rochford, when they returned home with their young children at 8.15pm on Monday.

When three young white males bolted out of the front door, Mr Weems, a cabbie, gave chase, until one suspect brandished a blade and threatened his life in front of his children.

Mr Weems said: “He was jumping up and down and going berserk, he was double-hyper – it all happened in a flash.

“I don’t really know what was going through my mind at the time, adrenaline had kicked in.

“He shouted ‘do you want some of this?’ while holding the knife up a few metres away from me, then they made a getaway.

“I think it was a professional operation, police who checked CCTV, said the ransacking and knife incident happened in under ten minutes.”

The suspects, believed to be in their teens, jumped into a white sports car believed to be a BMW or Audi, which sped off down Rectory Road.

The thieves, who made off with a sum of cash, trashed the family’s belongings and poured three bottles of bleach throughout the house.

Mrs Weems, who works in the City and as an MAW self-defence instructor in Hockley, added: “I think they threw the bleach around the house to hide any DNA. The house stinks of it, it will take days for the smell to go.

“When we pulled up to the drive I notice a young looking male pulled up in Westway opposite the house.

“It turned out he was the getaway driver.”

The family, who have lived in the quite, leafy road for ten years, has praised Essex Police and the community for their support.

When the Echo attended the scene neighbours were delivering flowers and condolences.

Mr Weens said the family are trying to remain positive and not live in fear of future attacks.

Mrs Weens added: “I even feel guilty about being upset by this. The terror attack in Manchester is so much worse.

“There are people who are without their children right now - it puts all of this in perspective.”

Police investigations are ongoing. The suspect who wielded the blade is described as white, 5ft 4ins, and of a slim build. The other suspects were also white and of a similar height and build. If you have any information contact Essex Police on 101 or Anyone with information is asked to contact Southend CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.