A family has been left feeling anxious and too afraid to sleep after thieves broke in and trashed their home.

Cash, expensive jewellery and designer sunglasses were taken from the home in Hill Road, Folkestone, last Saturday after burglars broke in through a window.

Police have now launched an investigation and are appealing for witnesses to the break-in to come forward.

And the family who live in the house say they have been greatly affected by the burglary, which has left them feeling unsafe in their own home.

A woman, who lives in the house with her parents, brother and sister said: "My younger brother now can't sleep at night.

"Since Saturday he has been feeling very anxious and doesn't want to stay home alone now.

"He is checking before he goes to bed that no one is walking past or outside the house.

"But we all feel quite anxious when we leave the house - always double checking the windows and doors.

"My sister is worrying a lot."

The young woman's parents were the first to discover the break in when they returned home and realised the chain on the inside of the front door was on.

The chain can only be applied by someone inside the house.

They called their daughter to check if she was in, but the siblings had left home to catch a bus to travel to Canterbury.

"My sister got a call from my parents asking if we were at home, because the chain was on," the woman said. "We said no. This is when mum got suspicious and said she thought someone might be in the house.

"When they got inside they saw the whole house had been trashed - the living room, the dining room, upstairs was worse.

"They went through our wardrobes, and even our personal things like our underwear drawers. There were clothes everywhere.

'We all feel quite anxious when we leave the house - always double checking the windows and doors...'

"They went really deep into my mum's closet - even touching our passports . They went in the roof."

The siblings got off the bus in Swingfield and were collected by a friend and brought home.

Items stolen included Gucci sunglasses, a Michael Kors watch, a sentimental gold necklace and a quantity of cash.

The woman, who wishes to stay anonymous, said: "I had a panic attack when I got home and saw it. We called the police and I was begging for them to come.

"They came within two hours and a forensic team were sent.

"We assume someone was watching the house, as it was such a short window between us leaving and my parents coming home.

"I want people to be aware what can happen when you leave the house. We have pictures of us around the house - they knew who they were robbing.

"I would not wish what happened to us on my worse enemy."

It is thought the thieves broke in through a window in the kitchen using tools. Damage was also caused to a wardrobe door.

A police spokesman said: "Designer sunglasses and a quantity of cash were reported stolen following a burglary at a Folkestone home.

"Officers are appealing for witnesses to the burglary which took place in Hill Road between 2.50pm and 3.20pm on Saturday, August 3.

"Also reported stolen was a Michael Kors watch and a gold necklace."

Any witnesses or people with information should also call Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting 46/149630/19.

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or using the anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org.

To get the latest updates in ongoing cases, police appeals and criminals put behind bars,lick here.

Read more: All the latest news from Folkestone