The occupants, which included a pregnant woman, were terrorized by three men wielding a machete and a baseball bat type weapon who burst into their homes at Wollerton, near Market Drayton just before 9am last Thursday.
A teenage boy received a cut to his hand while trying to protect his mother who was struck on the head. Neither were seriously injured. And in the other home, a pregnant mother was threatened and tied to a chair in front of her young son.
Both properties were ransacked before the gang fled with a small amount of stolen property in a black Land Rover Discovery taken from one of the homes. The vehicle was found within half an hour with its engine still running on the outskirts of the village.
Police believe the men then drove off in a silver coloured saloon car parked up in a nearby lay-by.
Detective Chief Inspector Alan Edwards, head of Shropshire CID, said today: “This was a violent and terrifying experience for the victims at the two homes. Fortunately, no-one was seriously injured but they were subjected to a horrifying ordeal.
“I am appealing for any information which might help us trace these men before they strike again.
“We don’t believe this was an incident carried out randomly. It’s possible the home of the pregnant lady was mistakenly identified by the offenders. They then moved to the neighbouring premises.
“We are still investigating the motive for the attacks but at this stage, we do not think they were random.”
DCI Edwards said West Mercia Police was working with neighbouring forces – including North Wales, Merseyside, Staffordshire and West Midlands – as it was possible the gang members were not from Shropshire.
“I am urging people to come forward with information. These men confronted vulnerable people in their own homes and the sooner they are arrested the better. They resorted to violence in what were cowardly crimes.”
He said the police were anxious to hear from anyone who spotted three or four men, possibly wearing hats, acting suspiciously in a silver car either the day before the attacks or during the early hours of last Thursday when their getaway vehicle may have been parked up on the approach to Wollerton.
“I am also appealing to members of the criminal fraternity to help as I believe they will not condone this kind of violence against women and children.”
Anyone with information for the police investigation team should contact Shrewsbury or Oswestry CID on 0300 333 3000. Information can also be given to the anonymous Crimestoppers charity by calling 0800 555 111 for which a reward of up to £1,000 may be paid.
All three men are described as white and around 5ft 10 inches tall. Two are thought to be about 40 years old and the third in his mid to late twenties.
The younger man was wearing a black woollen knitted beanie type hat pulled own over his eyebrows. He appeared to have short, light brown hair.