THREE men arrested in connection with a violent raid on a family in their own home have been released without charge.
Detectives from East Surrey CID have renewed their appeal for information in relation to Operation Jarrah after charges against the trio, all aged in their 30s and from the New Addington area of Croydon, were dropped this week.
The men were arrested in August following an investigation into an aggravated burglary at a detached house in East Park Lane, Newchapel last year.
The offence occurred in the early hours of June 12, 2012, when a family of four – a mother, father and their two teenage daughters – were tied up by a gang of masked men. The father, named John, was also threatened with a firearm.
He appeared on BBC Crimewatch in March appealing for information on who was responsible for the raid in which a Louis Vuitton handbag and a Rolex watch were stolen.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Portia Andrews said: "This was a terrifying ordeal for the family involved. John thought he was going to be shot dead in front of his daughters and that they would be harmed. It was every father's worse nightmare.
"We believe the family were specifically targeted because the burglars gave very detailed demands and I am sure someone will be able to link all of these pieces together and provide us with the names of the offenders.
"I would like to thank those people who have provided information to the investigation team, but I strongly urge anyone who has for whatever reason not been able to come forward with information to do so.
"I truly believe someone somewhere knows who is responsible for the appalling attack on a family in their own home and I would urge them to contact either Surrey Police, where your information will be treated in the strictest of confidence."
Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact Surrey Police on 101, quoting Operation Jarrah.
Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
For more information on the incident, visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p016m4zc
