A step-mum has described her terror after a burglar crept into the bedroom of her 10-year-old step-child who saw a "man at his door" but pretended to be asleep.

The family of the boy, from Kent Avenue, Sittingbourne, have been left fearful and wary after the break-in that resulted in their car being stolen in the early hours.

Laura McClean, whose three step-children were in the house during the creeper burglary, said: "I woke up in the morning, and I came out of the bedroom as normal.

"I saw the boys' bedroom door was open so I just closed it and I thought nothing of it – maybe they'd gone to the toilet in the night time and one of them left it open.

"But then my partner called me and told me that my 10-year-old step-son said he'd seen a man at his door during the night and pretended to be asleep.

"At first my partner said he thought it was just another one of the boys' bad dreams but then he went out to the car with them, ready to take them to school, and the car wasn't there.

"He said the spare car keys had gone from the kitchen. I was gobsmacked – obviously the story that the eldest told was true.

"It was scary, knowing literally someone was there, three feet from us while we were sleeping.

"It feels like we weren't there for the kids, but we just didn't know because we were asleep, it's horrible."

The 35-year-old said the man her eldest step-son saw must have popped the lock as there was no damage to the property apart from some scratches on the door.

All they had taken from the house was the spare car key and police later found the vehicle abandoned, still full of petrol, with nothing missing but a pair of designer sunglasses.

Police took the vehicle for forensic testing but came back empty handed.

The deputy supermarket manager added: "We believe there is a group of burglars because a couple two streets away, in Chaucer Road, were also victims the same night.

"They had multiple items stolen, along with their father's ashes."

Both homes were targeted on Monday, February 28. Laura said: "The other victims along Chaucer Road also had their wallet stolen and the next day there was an attempt to use one of their bankcards."

Laura, whose 38-year-old partner has lived in the area for four years, said she had heard the men terrorising the area had also been violent.

She said: "The couple who had their father's ashes stolen shouted at the men from the window as they saw them attempt to steal their van.

"This deterred them, however one man shouted back and threatened to stab them. It was then that they realised one of their kitchen knives had also been stolen.

"They are threatening to stab victims with knives they stole from the property and despite numerous recordings from Ring doorbells they are continuing to break into people's homes.

"From what I can see there has been no warning or advice to the residents of Sittingbourne regarding these ongoing burglaries, so I just want to make more people aware of it and to ensure they are all being extra vigilant.

"We didn't have CCTV cameras but we do now. I just want people to make sure they are locking doors and windows and, if you have them, turning on your security cameras or alarms.

"These scumbags won't think twice if they see the tiniest opportunity."

A spokesman for Kent Police said: "We are investigating a report of a burglary which was alleged to have taken place between 3am and 4am on Monday, February 28, in Kent Avenue, Sittingbourne.

"During the incident car keys were reported to have been stolen from inside a house before the victim’s car was driven away.

"Officers were able to locate the car later that morning in Sittingbourne. No arrests have yet been made. Enquiries are ongoing."